13th Annual
To Be Announced
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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 2025 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.
Running for a Sweet Cause
Running for a Sweet Cause
Our 2025 Sweet Cause for our 12th annual Cocoa Run will be a very special member of the Lueken family and faithful elf who has worked each year in helping to prepare the cocoa for our event. Lisa Merkel, to anyone that has had the pleasure of meeting her, is known to be the spark in every room; full of spirit, energetic, endlessly talkative, and always out and about! What began as small balance issues and subtle changes in speech progressed, and Lisa has been diagnosed with Parkinsonism - Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). This is a rare disorder (fewer than 50,000 people in the U.S.) with no cure currently. Treatments focus on managing symptoms, enhancing safety (especially preventing falls and choking), and supporting quality of life. Lisa still has that spark inside, and she has Bernie as her rock standing by her side. So, we are all coming together this year to combine our cheer and lift Lisa and Bernie up in Christmas spirit. We are here to support and comfort them, and we will remind them that no one is alone on this journey.
Donations to our Sweet Cause this year will go towards enhancing safety and supporting quality-of-life measures for Lisa (assistive medical devices, wearable fall detection, and speech-generating devices are some examples). 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 (made out to Kerry Lueken) 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!
Cocoa Run 2025
Cocoa Run 2025
- Registration for 2025 will be announced at a later date.
- Please register all participants with the above link. We want to keep track of how many elves we have taking part each year!
- Get creative and put together your best Cocoa Run outfit yet!
- Join us on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
- If you would like, send a donation for our Sweet Cause.
- Spread cheer, SpReAd ChEeR, SPREAD CHEER! Every year's goal is to be the cheeriest bunch of elves this side of the elf-house!!!
Why is the Cocoa Run the best holiday road race?
Why is the Cocoa Run the best holiday road race?
Sweet Cause
Sweet Cause
Every year we come together to walk, run, support, offer prayers, and make donations for a sweet cause.
Sweet Treats
Sweet Treats
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.
Most Festive Atmosphere
Most Festive Atmosphere
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.
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