Cocoa Classic 5k

Cocoa Classic 5K — St. Louis

Sunday, November 8, 2026 · 11:00 a.m. Washington University in St. Louis, Danforth Campus

www.runcocoaclassic.com

The Cocoa Classic is a 5K with a purpose: raising money for mental health work reaching teens and young adults before a crisis, not after.

The race was founded by Collin Maher as a high school sophomore in Atlanta, after he noticed kids at a local food bank wearing worn-out shoes. What started as an Eagle Scout project put new shoes on more than 1,600 children. Collin died by suicide in May 2026, weeks after finishing his freshman year at WashU. He was 19.

This race is the St. Louis Cocoa Classic — run on the campus he loved, on Olympic ground, for the young people who need someone to notice.

The course runs through the Danforth Campus: 169 acres of Collegiate Gothic architecture and an accredited arboretum, at the best week of the year for it. The 1904 Olympic Games were held here — the first anywhere in the Western Hemisphere.

Registration $35 — Through October 8 $40 — October 9 through November 7 $45 — Race day

Every finisher receives a Cocoa Classic shirt, and there's hot cocoa at the line.

Bose speakers for overall Male and Female winners

Custom Cocoa Classic medals for overall, masters, and age group winners.

Chip-timed by Big River Race Management.

Walkers and strollers welcome. Come to race it, or come to walk it with your family.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988.