Disclaimer: I received an entry to the 2020 Atlanta Hot Chocolate 15k 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!
Since 2018, I have completed a total three races within the hot chocolate race series, which are put on by RAM racing across the United States. Before I took the dive and completed my first event, there were two things I knew about the races: the chocolate, and the awesome race giveaways!
Each year the events giveaway is some sort of long sleeve sweatshirt or pullover, that always becomes a staple in my running wardrobe.
In 2018, runners got a purple or blue half zip pullover, depending on if the opted for a women’s size or a men’s size. The pull over featured thumb holes at the end of the sleeves, and a breast pocket, that is big enough to fit my cell phone, or my keys when I drive somewhere to run. The medals for the 15k that year came with a key chain attachment that specified the city you ran in, so my medal came with a small Atlanta peach keychain. If you’d like to read about that race, you can find my recap HERE.
In 2019 the race series came a little closer to home for me, when they put on a Brooklyn edition of the event. They were giving runners zip up sweatshirts - maroon for the women’s jackets, and black for the men’s cut. My uncle was nice enough to go to the expo for me, as I wasn’t able to get there because of work, so I wasn’t able to try on my sweatshirt at race pickup - which resulted in it being slightly oversized, but I love it nonetheless. It has thumb holes at the end of the sleeves and inside pockets, both of which are a win in my books. Instead of a keychain to show the race city, the bottom of the medal featured the Brooklyn bridge. For a recap about the Brooklyn 2019 race, click HERE.
This year I headed to Atlanta again for the 2020 race, since the Brooklyn edition of the race was cancelled after the first year. They had zip up sweatshirts once again, and I was really pleased with the quality of this one- it’s a solid, heavy jacket! I made sure to try it on before leaving the expo, and was happy to find that it once again has some good interior pockets. The 2020 jacket is a dark blue, featuring coral zippers on the women’s cuts, and blue zippers for the men’s. As for medals, this year they began offering one for 5k finishers, where as in the past only the 15k finishers were awarded a medal. The 5k medal looks like a cup of hot chocolate, while the 15k metal retained its classic chocolate bar shape, and the lanyard was marked up with Atlanta to represent the city. For my most recent Hot Chocolate race recap, the 2020 Atlanta edition, clock HERE.
On top of all of this sweet swag, there are also some sweet treats! Once you’re done running, every runner receives a cup of hot chocolate, surrounded by goodies - my favorite part is the dark chocolate fondue, paired with the banana and marshmallows that can be dipped into it,
So what I’m trying to say here is that if you’re into great race giveaways and sweet treats, you may want to find a Hot Chocolate race that is coming to a city near you! Head to www.hotchocolate15k.com to see a complete list of cities that are hosting an event.