January 24 » ASHEVILLE
For 18 years, Asheville’s Hot Chocolate Races have been among the penultimate in the region’s winter running season. What began as a simple 10K has morphed from that initial event into a 5K. Post pandemic, a well-received half-marathon was added, but wasn’t held in January 2025 because of the hurricane’s damage. It’s making a return for 2026! Altogether, there is the half marathon, Marshmallow Dash, 1K Hill Climb, 10K and 5K; the Hot Chocolate Races raise money for the Isaac Dickson Elementary School PTO. » Isaac Dickson Elementary School, 125 Hill St. Saturday, 7:30 a.m. $20-$90; hotchocolateraces.com