Racing for food

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.hotchocolate15k.com/">2012 Hot Chocolate 15/5K</a> - Chicago, IL People from across the country head to Chicago in November to run for chocolate. Sign up for a 15K run ($65), 5K run ($48), or a one-mile walk ($48), and at the end indulge in a Ghirardelli chocolate festival. “When you cross that finish line people are handing you Ghirardelli squares in all different flavors like truffle, caramel, and raspberry,” the race’s marketing officer David Wallace said. (Hot Chocolate 15/5K)

2012 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hotchocolate15k.com/">Hot Chocolate 15/5K</a> - Chicago, IL Large tents are set up offering racers chocolate fondue with marshmallows, pretzels, and bananas for dipping. And on a chilly day in Chicago what’s better than Ghiradelli hot chocolate? (Hot Chocolate 15/5K)

<a target="_blank" href="http://tulsastatefair.com/">Corn Dog Classic</a> - Tulsa, OK State fair food mixed with running a 5k? The Corn Dog Classic sponsored by the Tulsa State Fair requires racers to eat cotton candy, lemonade, and a corndog at each mile marker of the run. Almost 400 people came out to run last year. (Tulsa State Fair )

<a target="_blank" href="http://thechocolaterace.com/">The Chocolate Race</a> - Port Dalhousie, Canada For a trip outside the United States that will give you your chocolate fix put this run on your calendar. Sign up for a 10mile ($65), 10k ($60), or 5k ($50) run along the waterfront of Port Dalhousie, and have fun eating chocolate during the race. Chocolate aid stations will be set up along the course so runners can recharge with strawberries and chocolate fondue. (Dirty Runner Productions)

<a target="_blank" href="http://doughman.org/">The Doughman</a> - Durham, NC Durham’s premier quadrathalon combines running, swimming, biking, and of course eating. Teams of four will have two people run (1.75-2.5 miles), one bike (10 miles), and one swim (water activity equivalent to a lap). The challenging part is consuming a meal before your leg of the race. (hebasalama.com)

2012 <a target="_blank" href="http://nycpizzarun.com/">NYC Pizza Run</a> – New York, NY It’s hard to find a New Yorker who doesn't like pizza. This 2.25mile run in Tompkins Square Park requires participants to eat a NYC slice before the first, second, and third laps. "I think people find it fun to strategize how to run the race as fast as possible," race organizer Jason Feirman said. (NYC Pizza Run )

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.a2a3.org/">Twinkie Run</a> - Ann Arbor, MI This is a 5k run/walk ($10-$17.50) centered around tasty cream filled cakes. Participants will complete two loops around Gallup Park and can eat a Twinkie before each loop. For every Twinkie you eat, a minute is knocked off your final time. (Ann Arbor Active Against ALS)

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.a2a3.org/">Twinkie Run</a> - Ann Arbor, MI Co-Race director, Suzanne Ross said about 75 percent of racers eat at least one Twinkie, and over 300 Twinkies are ordered. The race is open to all ages and there is even a 5K-relay option for younger participants. (Ann Arbor Active Against ALS)

<a target="_blank" href="http://mudandchocolate.com/">Mud & Chocolate Half Marathon and 4.5 Mile Runs</a> - Redmond and Sammamish, WA This trail course at the scenic Redmond Watershed Park in April and November offers serious and casual runners of all ages a chocolate race to remember. Whether you choose the 4.5mile course ($35) or the challenge of a half marathon ($50) you’ll get to experience Chocomania. Runners get to enjoy chocolate truffles, chocolate cupcakes, and chocolate chip cookies following the race. (Jennifer MacNiven Photography)