Welcome back to Racing Bizarre, where we dive headfirst into the world of races that make you ask, “What were they thinking?” Today’s feature: The Krispy Kreme Challenge, a race that fuses running with something more... digestive. Shockingly, we head back to the US to look at an event isn’t just about crossing the finish line, it’s about conquering 2.5 miles, downing a dozen doughnuts, and then somehow surviving another 2.5 miles. In February of each year, the ultimate test of endurance, digestive prowess, and your ability to resist a sugar induced coma takes place.
The Krispy Kreme Challenge
Picture this (and perhaps suspend your disbelief): You’re running 2.5 miles through Raleigh, North Carolina, heart pounding, sweat pouring, and you finally arrive at the Krispy Kreme store. You can almost hear the doughnuts calling your name, their sugary glaze glistening in the fluorescent lights. But wait, before you can just snag one (or twelve), you’ve got a task ahead of you: 12 doughnuts. Yes, 12. Not a dozen bagels or croissants, just doughnuts. One dozen. You’ve got to eat them all. And then, when your stomach is a ticking time bomb, you run back 2.5 miles to the finish line. And here’s the kicker: You’ve got to do all of this in under an hour.
So, in essence, the Krispy Kreme Challenge is a race that combines running with competitive eating. If you’ve ever thought, “Hmm, I’d like to run a race, but I’d also like to suffer severe stomach cramps and probably lose my lunch midway through,” then this is the event for you.
The Birth of the Challenge: A Dare That Went Too Far
This glorious event started as a dare among a few undergrads at North Carolina State University in 2004. You know, the kind of dare that starts with someone saying, “What’s the worst that could happen?” The task? Run 2.5 miles to Krispy Kreme, eat 12 doughnuts, then run 2.5 miles back. Simple, right? Well, one of the daredevils, Ben Gaddy, completed it in a blistering 34 minutes and 27 seconds. That’s right, he ate 12 doughnuts in under 35 minutes and somehow still managed to jog back. It’s the kind of athletic achievement that makes you question your life choices, but in a way that also makes you want to give it a go... right after a nap.
From Dare to Tradition
Word spread fast, and by the next year, the challenge was no longer just a silly university dare, it had evolved into a full-blown race. By 2005, the event had become a massive hit, drawing hundreds of participants, all eager to test their stomachs and running shoes. The Krispy Kreme Challenge became a bucket-list race for any North Carolina State University student worth their salt (or sugar), and by 2023, it had raised over $2.1 million for the North Carolina Children’s Hospital. And let’s not forget, it’s not affiliated with Krispy Kreme in any official capacity, though I’m sure the doughnut company has quietly celebrated this sweet (pun intended) marketing win from afar.
The Rules: It’s All About the Doughnuts
Now, let’s talk about the rules. You might think that “eating 12 doughnuts while running five miles” is a free-for-all, but no, this is a highly regulated event. The doughnuts are mandatory (none of those half-baked excuses about not feeling hungry), and you’ve got to eat every single one. You can’t just pick and choose your favourites, like only eating the chocolate covered ones (a serious mistake, I might add). And you definitely can’t spit them out and hope no one notices. Oh no. If you fail to eat all twelve or if you take more than an hour to finish, you’re out.
If you think you’re just in it for the sweet rewards, think again. You’ve got to run 2.5 miles, eat 12 doughnuts, then run another 2.5 miles. The doughnuts alone clock in at a monstrous 2400 calories and 144 grams of fat. That’s right, folks, eat a doughnut every 12.5 minutes, and you might just burn off a fraction of the calories on the way back. So, who’s in?
The Survivors
By now, you’re probably wondering: Who in their right mind would willingly put themselves through this? Well, it’s not all just for laughs. Some people actually train for this bizarre event. Yes, there are professional doughnut eaters out there, and they’re not just looking for a sugar rush, they’re training their bodies to metabolize calories at speeds that would make your gym trainer weep. The time to beat? The best finishers complete the whole race in about 30 minutes, which is frankly terrifying. It’s like watching a gazelle with a doughnut addiction sprint through the streets.
But, let’s be real, most people sign up for the Krispy Kreme Challenge not for the victory, but for the experience. You’ll get to join thousands of other brave souls in the quest for glory, all while wearing a T-shirt proudly proclaiming that you’re capable of eating more doughnuts than anyone should in a lifetime. Some take it seriously; others take it as an opportunity to show off their costume skills, with participants regularly donning wild outfits ranging from superheroes to full-on doughnut-themed attire. After all, if you’re going to eat twelve doughnuts in one go, you might as well do it in style.
Krispy Kreme: Where Every Step is a Sugar Rush
So, whether you’re in it for the glory, the doughnuts, or just to see if your stomach can handle the pressure, the Krispy Kreme Challenge is truly one for the history books. It's the kind of event where the pain and the sugar high come together in one truly memorable (and probably vomit inducing) experience.
And at the end of the day, what do you get? The satisfaction of knowing you ran five miles, consumed 2,400 calories in doughnuts, and raised money for a good cause, all before you pass out on the couch. And if that’s not an achievement, I don’t know what is. So, until next year’s challenge, don’t forget to stock up on napkins, running shoes, and a strong stomach. You’ll need all three.
And finally, one last thought: What’s the difference between the Krispy Kreme Challenge and a weekend bender? At least with the Krispy Kreme Challenge, you’ll probably be able to walk home. Maybe.
Image: Visit Raleigh