Salisbury City Park Hosts Annual Hot Chocolate 5K

(SALISBURY, Md) – Salisbury City Park was bustling Thursday afternoon for their own New Year’s Day tradition.

Wicomico County runners took their marks Thursday to take part in the 9th annual Hot Chocolate 5K at the park.

More than 300 people registered to run either a one mile track or 5K.

The 5K is a major fundraiser to help fund the Minds in Motion Children’s Museum, and they got to announce a partnership with the city of Salisbury for a location at the city zoo.

Race Organizer, Vira Ogburn tells WMDT, “It was very special. Knowing that we’re going to, start making plans in the new year, this year, 2026, partnering with the zoo, it just it made it very special for the runners to hear at first.”

And for some of the runners we spoke to, not only was the Hot Chocolate 5K a great way to spend New Year’s Day, but a memorable moment following the announcement from the Minds in Motion Museum.

“Yeah, I think it’s great. We need more things. The community. We have lots of adventures. Right? And another museum. Another place to go would be awesome for one of our, monthly commutes,” says Wicomico runner, Eric Jones with his daughter, Violet.

The first 5K runners finished in just under 17 minutes.