SKECHERS Hot Chocolate Run Chicago 2026

The SKECHERS Hot Chocolate Run Chicago is a fall running event offering 5K, 10K, 15K, and 2-mile distances. Participants can select a short fun run or a longer city race. The start is near the Art Institute of Chicago, with the finish close to Buckingham Fountain. The main race village is located in Grant Park, centrally positioned. The route follows downtown streets and the lakefront, extending south from the Loop to 35th Street before returning to Grant Park. Runners will pass Maggie Daley Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, City Hall, the Chicago Board of Trade, McCormick Place, Soldier Field, and the Field Museum. The event's signature feature, as indicated by its name, is a post-finish chocolate party offering hot chocolate, fondue, and dipping items. This tradition leads the series to be known as America's Sweetest Race.