5k Road Race and 2 Mile Walk
through Downtown Northampton

Saturday
December 6, 2008


Mayor Higgins'
Hot Chocolate Run to benefit Safe Passage

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Event Details

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Race History & Results

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Race Maps


Proceeds of the
Hot Chocolate Run

benefit

Safe Passage

Jo Smith Art

Safe Passage provides services, shelter, and support to women and children who have experienced domestic violence.

Message from Safe Passage Executive Director, La Wanza Lett-Brewington

The 5th annual Mayor Higgins' Hot Chocolate Run was an enormous success! Safe Passage thanks each of our participants, volunteers, and sponsors for helping to make this our biggest and best Hot Chocolate Run ever. Watch this space for a full report on the event.
Click here for race results!

We have a few extra mugs! If you participated in the event and did not receive a mug, please email Sarah. (sarah <at> safepass.org).

Lost and Found: Did you lose a mitten, glove, or hat at the race?
Email Sarah (sarah <at> safepass.org) to see if we have it.

Fifth Annual Mayor Higgins'
Hot Chocolate Run!

December 6, 2008

2 Mile Walk
5K Run

Downtown Northampton

Registrants receive a collector's mug designed by nationally syndicated cartoonist Hilary Price of Rhymes With Orange. Steaming hot chocolate for all participants!

Proceeds from this event benefit Safe Passage, the Hampshire County organization providing comprehensive services to women, children, and families who have experienced domestic violence.

 

"...the Hot Chocolate Run is a brilliant event, one of the best community-sponsored and community-oriented races/runs I've ever seen." John Stifler, sports columnist for the Hampshire Gazette

Broadcasting live from this year's event will be WHMP!

WRSI’s Monte Belmonte and Kelsey Flynn will emcee this year’s event.


Sponsor Bill Dwight as he runs his very first 5K!

That's right, the Valley's own radio personality (The Bill Dwight Show on WHMP), local video store employee (Pleasant Street Video) and former Northampton City Councilor who wore a dress to a council meeting and lived to tell about it, has chosen the Mayor Higgins' Hot Chocolate Run as his very first 5k!

What can you do to support this remarkable feat?

  • Sponsor Bill (all proceeds to benefit Safe Passage) by clicking here.
  • Train along with Bill and his coach, radio personality Jaz Tupelo, or just track his progress by checking out his blog.
  • Sign up for the Hot Chocolate Run and run alongside (or in front of) Bill.
  • Show up on Strong Avenue on December 6 at 10:00 to cheer Bill on!

Middle and High School Student Challenge!
Prizes to top 3 Boys & Girls ages 15 to18 and 14 and under.

Thank you to our sponsors for the Middle School & High School Challenges:

northampton running.co
Wright Builders
Drs. Clayton, Kleinman and Canby - General Dentistry, Northampton

Free toys for all participating elementary school students generously donated by A2Z Science and Learning Store!

Free massage and chiropractic care at the event!

Meet the polar bear and penguin at the race!


The Northampton YMCA is pleased to support the Hot Chocolate Run and is offering new members a free entry!

Sign up for a 3-month Y membership before December 1, 2008 and the Y will pay your Hot Chocolate Run entry fee! Plus, you get a free YMCA t-shirt! www.hrymca.org.

Universal Health and Fitness is offering free entry fees for the HCR for all current Universal members, free team tee shirts, and is doing weekly runs from the gym to train for the race!


Northampton Winter Craft Fair - benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County

The Northampton Winter Craft Fair, formerly at Smith College, will be held on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, 2008 at Northampton High School from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. This great location provides easy access, ample parking and room to stretch. This long standing, popular community event is perfect for holiday shopping. Featuring more than 80 local and regional artisans of all handmade arts and crafts, the Northampton Winter Craft Fair is one of New England's oldest and finest. For more information, www.bbbshamp.org.



So what does it take to make gourmet hot chocolate for 2,500 people?

NORTHAMPTON COFFEE donates 150 lbs. of sugar, 50 lbs. of cocoa powder, and 160 ounces of vanilla extract

VOLUNTEERS measure and prep cocoa and sugar mixture for each gallon of hot chocolate

OUR FAMILY FARMS donates 150 gallons of milk and delivers it to the kitchens early in the morning

EASTSIDE GRILL donates a kitchen and early morning chefs

SIERRA GRILLE donates a kitchen and early morning chefs

NORTHAMPTON RENTAL, TAYLOR RENTAL, MYER'S CATERING AND PORTABELLA CATERING donate thermoses

PEDAL PEOPLE load thermoses onto their bicycle trailers, refill them with steaming hot chocolate and bring them to the Hot Chocolate pods.

And there you drink it!
Delicious hot chocolate for 2,500 people!

 

Hot Chocolate Run
2008 Sponsors


BLUE RIBBON SPONSOR



RED RIBBON SPONSORS





YELLOW RIBBON SPONSOR

Baystate Health

Huntley Associates, P.C.

Kohl Construction




RUNNER-UP SPONSORS

Bob's Discount Furniture

Eagle Crest Property Management

Florence Savings Bank

Law Offices of John P. DiBartolo, Jr.

Northampton Athletic Club

Our Family Farms

Smith College

Steve Lewis Subaru

United Bank



HONORABLE MENTION SPONSORS

Hoop-A-Paluza

Berkshire Gas Company

Dance Northampton

Dietz & Company Architects

Fitness Together

Gravity Switch

Integrity Development & Construction

Northampton Area Pediatrics

Northampton Family Dentistry

Sasson Hoose & Turnbull

Serio's Market

Western Massachusetts Legal Services


MEDIA SPONSORS

CBS-3 Springfield

Daily Hampshire Gazette

Valley Advocate

WHMP

Women's Times

WRSI