Registration begins for annual Hot Chocolate Run

Seaford’s big race is less than two months away. The Seaford Wellness Council will host its 12th annual Hot Chocolate Run on Saturday, Dec. 5, and some changes are in store for this year.

Most notably, a new timing company will be used. PR Timing, based in Rockland County, will be recording the times of the several hundred runners expected for the 5K race, which begins and ends at Seaford High School.

The Wellness Council is also planning a major redesign of the shirts that it provides to the runners. Instead of the hot chocolate logo, this year’s long-sleeve shirts will have a Christmas sweater look with silhouettes of runners. The shirts will likely be blue, with red and white text and graphics. “The idea is to look wintery,” Wellness Council President Michael DiSilvio said.

There will be two honorary starters for the race. One will be real estate agent Karen Cass, the Seaford Chamber of Commerce’s 2015 small businessperson of the year. Cass, a Seaford resident, is secretary of the chamber, and will be honored at the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce breakfast on Oct. 23.

The Wellness Council is in the process of selecting the secondary honorary starter, and is looking for a Seaford residents who goes “over and above” in terms of providing community service.

Race applications are available on the Wellness Council’s website, www.seafordwellness.com. Runners can also register online at www.active.com. The registration fee is $20 online, $25 with paper applications, and $30 on race day.

Awards will be presented to the top male and female finishers, the top male and female finishers from Seaford, and in several age groups.

Hot chocolate and bagels are provided to all participants. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Wellness Council’s various community service initiatives, including educational programs and beautification efforts.