Asheville Hot Chocolate Races @ 125 Hill St, Asheville, North Carolina, United States on 24 January 2026

Celebrating 18 years of running in 2026!
Choose from the chip timed 5K, 10K, Half Marathon or the kids untimed fun runs 1K Hill Climb or Marshmallow Dash.
Benefiting the non-profit Isaac Dickson Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization(PTO).

Enjoy Asheville, North Carolina’s very own Hot Chocolaty races.
Start and finish at Isaac Dickson Elementary School, 125 Hill St, Asheville, NC 28801

The Asheville Hot Chocolate races has been the highlight of Western North Carolina’s winter running season since 2008. The race began as a simple 10k with a 1k kids hill climb. The race grew as a family event and so the short, 100 yard Marshmallow Dash was added for the newest little runners. In 2018 we added a much requested 5k to the line up. And lastly, in 2022, we emerged from the pandemic with an added challenge, our newest distance, the Hot Chocolate Half Marathon! Unfortunately, due to the distruction of a lot of the half marathon course from Hurricane Helene we skipped the half marathon distance in 2025 but it will make a triumphant reurn in 2026!!!

With a downhill start and an up hill finish the meat of the race is a beautiful run along the French Broad River. The race benefits the Isaac Dickson Parent Teacher Organization which in turn supports the teachers, students and families of our school. Learn more and donation to their efforts here. Isaac Dickson PTO.