12th Annual
Dec. 14, 2025
Dec. 14, 2025
We ask that you please click on the registration link above and register for our event. This registration is important for us as we prepare and strive to make each year extra special for all in attendance! Our elves would be devastated if they didn't have enough treats and cocoa to send each person home with a smiling face and a full belly!
Special thanks to RaceEntry
We are asking for everyone's help with shuttling from the finish line to the starting line. We fully understand that this is not a typical event that begins and ends in the same location, thus creating a logistical challenge. The bus has been a fun solution to our shuttling issues, but our event has outgrown this being the sole solution. In order for our event to start on time, and to ensure that participants are not having to stand too long out in the cold, we are asking all participants to consider the following:
1. Carpool if possible and drop off passengers at the starting line. The driver can then park at the finish line and catch the shuttle back.
2. For you overachievers, you can get a warmup in by jogging from the finish line to the starting line (and, yes, feel free to grab a treat along the way for some early sampling if you like!!).
3. If using the shuttle bus, please take the first available one so that we don't have an overflow of people waiting for the last shuttle.
* We will only be having two shuttle times this year. The first shuttle bus will leave the finish line at 9:50 and the second will be leaving at 10:15.
We are so excited that our little event has grown so much, and we thank you all for helping us to overcome our growing pains!
One does not have to look far to find something to be thankful for in this little section of southern Indiana. A group of friends often referred to the area as "God's Country." The sunrises and sunsets, whether they are over the rolling hills or the serene Patoka Lake, are beautiful. The changing seasons always provide a unique perspective in which to view the sublime landscape. The peace and tranquility provide the opportunity to really soak in the uniqueness of all that surrounds us. Most of all, though, the people . . . the extraordinary individuals that make up our communities. . . the neighbors that look out for one another like family. . . and, well, those that we are blessed to call family. . . provide us with the most apparent reason to be thankful. The hard-working, kind, and generous people here in "God's Country" never cease to amaze with their seemingly effortless ability to lift others up. Let's be honest, we don't live amongst regular people, rather we are undoubtedly living amongst ELVES!
Reading through the Sweet Causes from years past and the history of this event as well as looking at the gallery lead us to want to express our thanks to all of you. To everyone that has participated or plans to participate in our merry little event in any way at all, a heartfelt Thank You goes out to you! Cocoa Run 2024 is being prepared, and we hope to add a bit of cheer to your day(s). We hope you join us on this cheeriest, merriest, and happiest of days.
Our 2025 Sweet Cause for our 12th annual Cocoa Run will be chosen closer to our event. We take this decision-making process very seriously as our Sweet Cause is the heart of our event each year.
If you feel compelled to donate to this year's Sweet Cause, you can get your donation to us in a few ways, even if you are unable to physically attend the event. We will accept donations given directly to one of our head elves, through Venmo @Kerry-Lueken, or checks mailed to Kerry's address (1291 S 900 E Celestine, IN 47521). As always, there will be a donation mailbox at the end of the race with the hot cocoa!
Every year we come together to walk, run, support, offer prayers, and make donations for a sweet cause.
There are four homemade cookie and treat stations on our route to keep you fully fueled for your walk/run! At the end of the run, you will be greeted with Aileen's hot cocoa and marshmallows.
Every year our participants dress in their most outrageous and festive holiday outfits. Elves, Santas, reindeer, unicorns, ugly Christmas sweaters, Cousin Eddie... And of course Christmas music is plentiful.