Sports Media Report
Allstate Insurance Company, one of the country’s largest and most successful sports sponsorship brands, and RAM Racing, the leading endurance race producer in the country, announced a major three-year title sponsorship today through the creation of the newly-named “Allstate® Hot Chocolate 15k/5k®.” The partnership marks the longest sustained commitment by Allstate in the endurance world and the first series title sponsorship for the running company.
An annual favorite on runners’ calendars, the Hot Chocolate race series originated with a single race staged in Chicago in 2007. RAM expanded the Hot Chocolate concept to four cities in 2012, and has been adding races to keep up with popular demand ever since. More than one million people have run in a Hot Chocolate race since its inception.
“Allstate is always looking for new ways to support our local communities, connect with people and provide expert protection for our customers so they can continue to pursue the things they love in life,” said Pam Hollander, vice president of marketing at Allstate. “When we decided to diversify Allstate’s sponsorship portfolio, it was important that the next endeavor align directly with our brand’s core values. RAM Racing was a clear choice, and we are thrilled to be embarking on this exciting three-year partnership and adding a lifestyle component to our sponsorship portfolio.”
Allstate signed on for a limited sponsorship with the Hot Chocolate series back in 2015. Since then, RAM and its technology platform, EnMotive, have continued to grow in its ability to reach, communicate with and service runners nationwide.
“We’re ecstatic that the ‘Good Hands’ people are adding fast feet to their impressive list of properties, and that they chose RAM Racing as their partner,” said RAM Racing’s CEO Steve Ginsburg. “We project continued growth for the Hot Chocolate series and that makes this the perfect time to start a relationship with a company like Allstate who shares our customer-first philosophy, our desire to create memorable experiences for our participants and our unwavering support for charity.”
The deal is effective immediately with the new race logo already adorning digital assets, race signage and the Hot Chocolate goodie bag swag that year after year have been independently acknowledged as the best in the endurance industry.
The 2017-2018 season includes events in 17 domestic cities, and is slated to be staged at three international sites in 2018 (China, Australia and Mexico). The 2016 Chicago Hot Chocolate 5k was the largest 5k race in the United States for the sixth year in a row, and the Hot Chocolate 15k races accounted for 15 of the largest 25 events at that distance last season.
Below is a schedule for the remaining races in the 2017-2018 Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k series. The 2018-2019 season will kick off in Denver, Colo. in Oct. before heading to Allstate’s backyard of Chicago. A complete 2018-2019 schedule will be released closer to the start of the season.
Houston, Texas – Jan. 28, 2018
Dallas, Texas – Feb. 3, 2018
Atlanta, Ga. – Feb. 4, 2018
Charlotte, N.C. – Feb. 10, 2018
Nashville, Tenn. – Feb. 17, 2018
Seattle, Wash. – March 4, 2018
San Diego, Calif. – March 18, 2018
Indianapolis, Ind. – March 24, 2018
Philadelphia, Pa. – April 7, 2018
Minneapolis, Minn. – April 14, 2018
For more information on the race series, or to register for an upcoming Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k, visit hotchocolate15k.com.
