America’s Sweetest Run returns in October with USA TODAY

Ventures Endurance, part of Gannett's (NYSE: GCI) USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, today announced the USA TODAY branded 2024-2025 Hot Chocolate Run series.

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The run kicks off October 6th in Denver, CO, and continues across 16 cities including Chicago, Dallas, Charlotte, Nashville, San Diego, San Francisco and Phoenix through April 2025. With 5K, 10K and 15K distances and a virtual race option, the series attracts over 150,000 runners across the country each year.

Hot Chocolate Run registrants will receive exclusive Hot Chocolate Run merchandise, a commemorative finisher’s medal, and access to the Post-Run Party with music, vendors, and chocolate fondue mugs filled with dippable treats and hot chocolate. Additionally, participants may be eligible to receive a one-year free digital subscription to USA TODAY.*

“We are thrilled to connect our brands and highlight USA TODAY as the Hot Chocolate Run series kicks off another season! The partnership between Ventures Endurance and USA TODAY will make this series the biggest and best that it has ever been by connecting our runners and participants to the nation’s news,” said Nate Scott, Vice President, Sports Revenue Strategy, Gannett | USA TODAY Network. “This running series captures the joy of movement with the taste of chocolate across many of our USA TODAY Network local communities.”

Participants will be given the option to donate to Special Olympics, the official charity partner of the series. Every dollar donated to Special Olympics can significantly change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by helping them discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success. A $5 donation can provide one week of training for a Special Olympics athlete while a $75 donation can provide one year of support for an athlete. For more information about Special Olympics, visit https://www.specialolympics.org/.

To learn more about the Hot Chocolate Run series and how to register, visit hotchocolate15k.com. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact volunteer@venturesendurance.com.

* Exclusions apply. See terms and conditions at https://cm.usatoday.com/about-your-subscription/.

ABOUT USA TODAY NETWORK VENTURES

USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures creates impactful consumer engagements and experiences through world-class events, promotions, and races. The Ventures portfolio includes one of the largest high school sports recognition programs in the country -- USA TODAY High School Sports Awards -- and other celebrated brands including the Official Community’s Choice Awards, Hot Chocolate Run, USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience, and many more.

ABOUT USA TODAY

Since its introduction in 1982, USA TODAY has been a cornerstone of the national media landscape under its recognizable and respected brand. It also serves as the foundation for our newsroom network which allows for content sharing capabilities across our local and national markets. Through USA TODAY, we deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Across our digital platforms we reach an audience of approximately 79 million unique visitors each month (based on December 2023 Comscore Media Metrix®).

ABOUT GANNETT

Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. We endeavor to deliver essential content, marketing solutions, and experiences for curated audiences, advertisers, consumers, and stakeholders by leveraging our diverse teams and suite of products to enrich the local communities and businesses we serve. Our current portfolio of trusted media brands includes the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, uses innovation and software to enable small and medium-sized businesses to grow, and USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, our events division, creates impactful consumer engagements, promotions, and races.

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