Santa's Hot Chocolate Run

Join us for a festive 3.1-mile adventure through the stunning downtown Lake Charles! Whether you're a seasoned runner or just looking to enjoy a fun morning walk, this race is perfect for everyone. Picture yourself running past beautiful sights, feeling the holiday spirit in the air, and celebrating with fellow participants!

🎅 Festive Fun: Embrace the holiday spirit with your favorite holiday gear—wear your ugliest sweater, Santa hat, or reindeer antlers!

☕ Delicious Hot Chocolate: Treat yourself to a warm cup of hot chocolate after crossing the finish line—because you deserve it!

🏅 Historic Race Route: Enjoy a professionally measured course that offers the perfect blend of challenge and enjoyment. We are excited to mark the return of Santa's Hot Chocolate Run to our favorite route beginning at the Central School Arts & Humanities Center.  The race route starts at the corner of Pujo St. and Kirkman St. and takes runners on a 3.1 mile route via Lakeshore Drive, Watkins St., 7th St. (past St. Louis High School), and Bank St. - ending at Pujo St. and Reid St.

📸 Festive Photo & Water Stations: We’re turning up the excitement with water and photo stations at four points along the route! Strike a pose and snap a selfie at our festive photo spots—it’s all about having fun and making memories!

🎄✨We encourage teams to register for Santa's Hot Chocolate Run.  Wear your custom, company, or club shirt to show your support for literacy and lifelong learning! Team recognition includes the team with the most participants, fastest time, best Candy Land themed outfits, and  most spirit.  

🎠🎨 Kid Zone fun: One of the most popular elements of the event is our Kids Zone.  It includes a variety of fun activities for kids of all ages beginning at 8:00AM.

🕵️‍♂️✨Scavenger hunt: Be curious! Participate in the free scavenger hunt around the four corners of the Central School.  Take a leisurely walk around this great oak tree lined space - four times around equals one mile. 

👟 Join the Community: Be part of a vibrant community event that brings everyone together for a morning of fitness and fun while supporting the Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana.

TEAM CAPTAIN

STEPS ON CREATING YOUR RUN/WALK TEAM and/or FUNDRAISING TEAM 
 

Step 1:           Go to the race registration website link:    
 
Step 2:          To Create a Run/Walk Team
1. Click Register to race

2. Select the race you will participate in + at the bottom of the page select "Would you like to join or create a team".

3. Next, you will agree to the race waiver.  ON the next page you will click on the Create a New Team tab. Once you enter the team name you will click on Continue.  On your Confirmation page you will receive a link for your Run/Walk team that you can send to your family, friends, or others so they can register and join your team.

4. The option to set up a team fundraiser can be done at a later point in your registration process or at a later time (reference Step 3 below).  

5. Once you (team captain) are registered: your community of support can select "JOIN A TEAM" and pick your team's name during their own registration process to be a part of your Run/Walk team.

Important: should any team member miss the step to join your team, no worries! Please email our race timing company (AunJelle Burton, Race Pace Multisport) at ajattacke@gmail.com and we will take care of that detail for you. 
 

Step 3:           How to Create a Fundraising Team or Individual Fundraiser
1. The easiest way to get started is to click on Donate, then Become a Fundraiser, OR if you are registering for the race, it can be done on the 5th page which is the Donate page.  

• You can choose to "become a fundraiser" which allows teams to set goals to raise funds for the organization.

• You can become an "individual fundraiser," and/or a "team fundraiser".   If you are not ready to set up a team fundraising goal, you can surpass the option by clicking continue.

2. Scroll down to the section Become A Fundraiser: You can choose to become an INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISER OR TEAM FUNDRAISER and continue by entering in the required information. 

3. Personalization: personalize your fundraiser's content as you wish! This is all about your why. 

• The link to your fundraising page, which is generated after your registration is complete, offers options for you to share detailed information with others (such as a special photo, image and/or personal story about yourself/your loved one).

• Corporate/Business teams are welcomed and encouraged as well. 

4. Share your Fundraising Link! 

Fees and Dates

Adults & Non-Students

$30 - September 28 to November 13

$35 - November 14 to December 3

$40 - December 4 and 5 = packet pick up and race day

Student Registration fees and dates*

*Student is defined as persons enrolled in Elementary school through High School.

Age based pricing is automatically discounted during the registration process.

$20 - September 28 to November 13
$25 - November 14 to December 3
$25 - December 4 and 5 = packet pick up and race day
 

Notes: 

• Children in strollers are not charged a registration fee. They will not be timed nor qualify for awards. If your child wants to be timed/scored and qualify for awards, they must be registered and wear the assigned race Bib.

• Student is defined as persons enrolled or the age of those in Elementary school through High School. Age based pricing is set to ages 5 years to 18 years old.

• We have a no refund policy so please consider your registration a donation.

• T-shirt deadline: Shirts and correct shirt sizes are guaranteed to registered participants who register by November 13, 2026.  If you register after this date, you may not receive a shirt or you may not receive the sized shirt requested. 

• Please note:  Registrants pay a processing fee and all applicable taxes.  To pay using cash or business checking, please contact our office at 337-494-7000 for assistance.

Thursday, December 3, 2026

• Where: Central School Arts & Humanities Center, 809 Kirby St., Lake Charles, LA

• Room 123

• When: 3:00PM - 6:00PM

Friday, December 4, 2026

• Where: Central School Arts & Humanities Center, 809 Kirby St., Lake Charles, LA

• Room 123

• When: 3:00PM - 6:00PM

Saturday, December 5, 2024

• Where: Central School Arts & Humanities Center, 809 Kirby St., Lake Charles, LA

• Parking lot off Kirby Street

• When: 7:00AM - 7:45AM

Registered participants need photo identification and the confirmation receipt from Runsignup.com for packet pickup. Proxy pickup is allowed for immediate family members, husband/ wife/ sibling, with identification.

7:00AM - Packet pickup & race day registration opens

7:45AM - Packet pickup & race day registration closes

8:00AM - 5K timed race begins

9:15AM - Approximate time for awards

This schedule may change at any time. More information regarding Hot Chocolate station, Kid Zone, and Scavenger Hunt will be provided at a later date.

This year's race will be professionally timed by Race Pace Multisport.  Runners will be able to review the race board for times and rankings.  At the conclusion of the race, awards will be provided in the following categories:

Overall: Top male and top female 

Age group: Top male & female runners in each age group: Ages 5-7 years, Ages 8-10 years, Ages 11 & 12 years, Ages 13-17, Ages 18-24, Ages 25-34, Ages 35-44, Ages 45-54, Ages 55-64, Ages 65 years and older.

Those who are not registered, do not wear race bib, or  alter  correct race route will not be timed/scored.

Clip .pdf of the route for complete details.

Sponsor this event!

Literacy Council of SWLA

Tel:  337-494-7000

Fax:  337-656-7251

809 Kirby St., Ste. 126
Lake Charles, LA  70601

info@literacyswla.org

Contact the office at to pay cash registration fee or sponsor this event!