Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15K Philadelphia as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
Do you like to run races? Do you have a sweet tooth? Well, I’ve got the perfect race for you: The Allstate Hot Chocolate 15K and 5K! I’ll be running this race for the first time in a little over a week, and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share 5 reasons why you should run a Hot Chocolate Race!
I’m joining Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for the Friday 5 2.0! I’m also joining Annmarie and Nicole for Wild Workout Wednesday and Debbie, Lora, and Rachel for the Running Coaches Corner!
[bctt tweet=”I’m sharing 5 reasons why you should run an Allstate @hotchocolate15k race! #bibchat #hotchocolate15k” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
5 Reasons to Run a Hot Chocolate Race
This will be the first year that I’m running the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15K. Every year it seemed that this race would fall on a weekend where I was busy (usually running another race) and I’d miss out, so I’m really looking forward to finally getting to run this race in Philly! If you’ve been thinking about checking out a Hot Chocolate Race, here are 5 reasons why it’s worth it!
You Can Run a 15K – A Unique Distance
15K is equivalent to 9.3 miles and this racing distance can be pretty hard to come by, at least in my area! Allstate Hot Chocolate will be my first ever 15K, so I’m looking forward to an automatic PR!
On the other hand, if you’re not interested in running as far of a distance, you have the option to run the Hot Chocolate 5K! You’ll still get all the chocolate you can eat!
You’ll Get a Free Training Plan
Ever since I registered for the 15K, I’ve been receiving weekly emails from Hot Chocolate with their 12-week training plan, including useful training tips, tricks, and advice. This is a great resource if you’re looking for extra motivation and encouragement!
Free Race Photos!
Why don’t all races provide race photos in the price of admission? It makes life so much easier! Free race photos is a great perk, all you have to do is keep an eye out for the photographers! I recently did this at the Love Run Half Marathon (which also offers free race photos) and I was able to get a TON of photos of myself!
You’ll Earn Amazing Swag
All 15K finishers will receive an official Hot Chocolate Philadelphia medal to commemorate their awesome achievement. The design of the medal looks fantastic this year (and almost good enough to eat), and I love the Liberty Bell keychain just for us Philadelphians! There is a different keychain design for each city.
You’ll also get a really nice jewel-toned pullover! With its soft, technical fabric, this fitted, long-sleeved quarter-zip will be your go-to item for fall and winter runs! I can honestly say I’ve been jealous of these pullovers for years – I can’t wait to have one of my own!
Chocolate. Need I Say More?
This race gives you all the chocolate you could ever want! Not only do you get the above-pictured mug with hot chocolate and chocolate fondue at the finish line, you’ll also get to enjoy some sweets along the race course! The sweet stations include marshmallows, chocolate chips, and M&M’s! All the chocolate is gluten-free, nut-free, and compound-free!
So with all that said, if you’re thinking about running aHot Chocolate, look for a race in a city near you: there are upcoming races in Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago, Columbus, Scottsdale, St. Louis, Tampa, San Francisco, Houston, Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville, Atlanta, Seattle, San Diego, and Indianapolis! As a Bibrave Pro, I have a special code for each race you can use to get a BONUS branded cap – just check out my race discount page!
Have you ever run a Hot Chocolate Race? What’s the best treat you ever received from a race?
I ran the Hot Chocolate in Chicago last fall and it was really fun! I love the 15k distance–its my favorite. I wish more races were 15k!
It’s nice to have a fun race and do something new! We need more 15K’s!
I ran the Hot Chocolate Philly 15K race in 2016 and I really enjoyed the unique 15K distance. I really liked the route and the yummy food at the end. It’s so great that they also offer free races photos – I wish more races would do this!
I was going to run it again this year but they only had 2 “host” hotels and they weren’t that close to race start/finish. I checked other hotels in the area but they were super expensive so my friends and I will just try to do it next year!
Oh that’s too bad about the hotels…it can definitely be awkward getting to the Art Museum from Center City. Yes, come back next year!
That’s all very cool swag. My sister ran this race one year and got that awesome pullover. It’s really nice!
I can’t wait to wear my new one, the quality is great!
They did one here in DC many years ago and it was a total disaster! They never came back. I hear the one in Philly is great. I will have to check out the dates for Indy and maybe plan a visit to see my daughter at the same time
Oh no, that sounds vaguely familiar! Philly is definitely a well-oiled machine and people keep coming back every year!
I am sort of bummed I missed the bibs for this one! It is probably a good thing in the long run though – I am feeling so exhausted, I probably shouldn’t add a race that requires a bit of travel the week before Boston. I feel screwed enough for that marathon as is LOL
Oh I am sure you’ll do awesome in Boston! Sometimes it’s tough when so many races are back-to-back. There’s always next year for Hot Chocolate!
15k is a really cool distance! And free race photos? I love when races offer that! I would rather have that than a medal even!
Free race photos is such an amazing perk…I hate paying so much for photos!
I don’t do races but I do like Chocolate. Ill take the chocolate and you can run the race. Have a great weekend
Haha, I hear that!! Thanks, Patrick! 🙂
I did last weekend in Indy. Weather was very wintery! lol! Actually so much so that they only did the 5K and cancelled the 15K. I would have much rather had a real mug than what they gave though. I don’t see being able to use that for a cup of hot chocolate. lol! I did really like the shirts!
Oh I did hear about the cancelled 15K, so unfortunate! And good point about the finisher’s mug…I have no idea what to do with it, haha!
I tried hard to convince Mr. Judy that I needed to run the one in Seattle this year. Good thing I was unsuccessful because I wouldn’t have been ready for it.
We have a local 15k I enjoy — but the truth is I like every distance. They’re all unique.
I think I just need to google more races + chocolate. 🙂
Haha! We definitely need more chocolate-themed races! The chocolate was really good, I would have loved to have more if I wasn’t focused on running 20 miles haha!
We need more 15K options too!
I haven’t run a Hot Chocolate race, but they look really fun — and I love chocolate! Hoping to get this one on my schedule at some point!
Yes, it’s definitely worth knocking off the bucket list!
These are all great reasons to run this race! Ive never done a Hot Chocolate race but I love that theres nice swag and a training plan. Also, Ive never done a 15k so that distance sounds appealing to me!
I think it’s a fun way to mix things up – I definitely recommend checking one out!
I actually ran the race this year when it came to Houston and it was awesome! I really loved getting the mug with all the treats at the end. The weather was really nice and it was perfect hot chocolate weather this year so that was a treat! I think I’ll do it again next year too. 🙂
Ooh I actually think I’d enjoy this race even more in a warmer city! Glad you had a fun time at the race!
There’s a similar Hot Chocolate race in Des Moines, but the swag is not as nice. I have never run it, but hope to some day (though it’s kind of pricey).Also, it’s usually in early November, so the temps are rather cold.
Ooh November races are always dicey…I thought this Hot Chocolate race was expensive but you do get a lot of bang for your buck, especially running the 15K!
I’m still scarred from the horrible inaugural D.C. Hot Chocolate race so many years ago. I do like the 15K distance though!
Oh man that must have been really bad, lol!
I love the 15k distance! And chocolate! I’ll have to check out the San Diego race.
Ooh San Diego sounds like fun!
I really wanted to run this in Seattle this year but my husband needed to do a different race so I had to pass! I heard it was a lot of fun even though it was pricey! I plan on trying it next year!
I thought the race was really pricey at first too, but with the quality of the medal and pullover, PLUS free photos, it’s a great value!
ooh I might need to do this one next year. I’m so excited for cherry blossom, but it’s way more hot chocolate than hanami weather. Thanks for the recap
I definitely recommend putting this race on your radar for next year!
Definitely. Briefly met a woman who raced both this & Cherry Blossom last weekend, wouldn’t do that but thinking I’ll do Philly next year and save Cherry Blossom lotto for another year. Loved Cherry Blossom, but want to vary my racecations