CHICAGO – The Annual Chicago Hot Chocolate Run returns this weekend on Sunday, November 7 in Grant Park and the downtown area. The annual event that benefits St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital and is expected to attract an estimated 22,000 participants. The race will begin at 7 a.m. in Grant Park at Columbus and Monroe with the finish line located south of Balbo on Columbus. There will be a post-race party held at Buckingham Fountain.  

The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC would also like to remind residents that Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday when clocks roll back an hour.  

Traffic Impacts/Street Closures 

With thousands of participants and spectators along the route, as well as street closures prior and during the race, those traveling throughout downtown and Grant Part area allow extra time, expect delays, or consider alternate routes to avoid the impacts of the race.  Streets in the downtown area are expected to reopen by 8:45 a.m. The streets along the route are expected to reopen by 10:45 a.m. and post-race closures open by 2 p.m. 

Street closures in the Grant Park area are closed prior in prep for the event, including: 

• Columbus Drive from Roosevelt to Congress Saturday 2 p.m. through Sunday 2 p.m. 
• Balbo from Michigan to Columbus Saturday 2 p.m. through Sunday 2 p.m. 

Expect additional street closures early Sunday morning through Sunday afternoon on: 

• Jackson Blvd. from Michigan Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive 
• Monroe Street from Michigan Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive  
• Columbus from Congress to Monroe 

Street or lane closures for the 15/5K route include Ida B. Wells, Columbus, Randolph, Lower Wacker, Garvey Ct., Lake Street, Clark Street, Van Buren Street, Michigan Avenue, Roosevelt Road, 31^st Street, Martin Luther King Drive, 35^th Street, Fort Dearborn Drive, Burnham Harbor Drive, Museum Campus Drive and McFetridge Drive. For the course map visit https://hotchocolate15k.com/city/chicago/ 

Public Transportation 

As always, public transportation is encouraged if heading downtown. For more information on CTA services and reroutes, visit TransitChicago.com or call 836-7000 from any area code/1-888-YOUR-CTA. Metra will offer extra service on race day. For specific schedule information, visit Metra.com.  

If You See Something, Say Something 

OEMC wants to remind the public to be aware of their surroundings report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.  

Emergency, Traffic and Weather Notifications 

OEMC will continue to monitor the event in collaboration with public safety partners and the Chicago Police Department will enforce race day restrictions along the route as well as facilitate traffic. OEMC will issue any alerts and notifications needed to keep residents and attendees up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.  Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org. OEMC also issues TEXT alerts for lakefront notices, issues affecting businesses or COVID-19 updates: 

• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5 
• CHIBIZ: For alerts affecting businesses, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3 
• COVID: Get COVID-19 updates by TEXTING “COVID19” to 6-7-2-8-3 

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook (@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC) and Instagram (chicago_oemc_911).  

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