Skechers Hot Chocolate Run Draws Crowds in Chicago
Thousands of runners took part in the Skechers Hot Chocolate Run, with several downtown Chicago streets closed for the event.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Running
The Skechers Hot Chocolate Run, presented by Ghirardelli, drew a crowd to downtown Chicago on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Some downtown roads were shut down for the race, which offered 5K, 10K, and 15K courses starting from Grant Park.
Why it matters
The race brought road closures and a large crowd to downtown Chicago, affecting traffic and access for residents and visitors during the event. It also highlighted local runners, with first-place finishers from Palatine and Chicago.
The winning chip times were 48:25 for Hunter Davila, 29, of Palatine, among men and overall 15K runners, and 57:34 for Jess Macy, 35, of Chicago, among women. Total finisher counts and course-by-course participation figures were not reported in the source extraction.
The players
Skechers
Skechers is a American footwear company that sponsors running events and presented the Hot Chocolate Run series.
Ghirardelli
Ghirardelli is a chocolate manufacturer that presented the Chicago race and supplied hot cocoa to finishers.
The details
The run started at Jackson Boulevard and Columbus Drive in Grant Park. The longest course routed runners north to Randolph Drive, west on Wacker Drive, south on Dearborn Street, east on Van Buren Street, then south on Michigan Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to 35th Street before returning north to Grant Park on the Lakefront Trail.
Timeline
Sunday, November 1, 2026: Skechers Hot Chocolate Run held with downtown Chicago road closures
Season Trajectory
The Chicago race follows the pattern of the Skechers Hot Chocolate Run series, which pairs multiple race distances with post-race hot cocoa and finisher medals. Its downtown course and road closures place it among large urban fall road races that compete for runners' calendars.
Runners planning to compete in fall road races can track 5K, 10K, and 15K options when selecting events. Chip times like Davila's 48:25 and Macy's 57:34 offer benchmarks for runners comparing their own results on similar courses.
The takeaway
Downtown road races often bring temporary closures, so runners and commuters alike benefit from checking route maps before event day. Planning ahead helps avoid delays while still enjoying the race experience.
Further reading
Find more race coverage in the Running section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
