13th annual Krispy Kreme Challenge brings a sweet crowd to Hillsborough Street
Because it’s never too cold for doughnuts
Thousands of hungry runners gathered on NC State’s campus Saturday morning to raise money for the UNC children’s hospital in the Krispy Kreme Challenge. This 5 mile run was started in 2004 by a group of Park Scholars and has grown in popularity ever since. Runners start at the Memorial Belltower, run to Krispy Kreme to eat 12 doughnuts and then make their way back.
More options were introduced for this year’s run. Aside from casual and challenger categories, runners could choose whether or not they actually wanted to eat doughnuts halfway through the race.
Over the years it has become a tradition for runners to dress up in costumes, regardless how cold it may be. Superheroes and bananas are popular, as well as speedos for the manliest of the men. The more creative participants designed their own outfits based on the doughnut theme.
The first runner crossed the finish line in approximately 30 minutes, with others trailing a few yards behind. Most participants returned after about 45 minutes of running (with a few stops to puke along the way). Officials recorded times and participants could search their registration number to see where they ranked.
Among the spectators was NCSU Chancellor Randy Woodson. “It’s amazing,” Chancellor Woodson said. “It’s all student run so it’s a great tribute to our university that our students do such a wonderful job running this event and raising so much money for the children’s hospital. It’s a great day.”
The final tally for participation was just over 6900 registered runners. According to the university Twitter account, $185,000 was raised for the children’s hospital so that families with sick or injured kids don’t have to worry about medical costs.