Eat a doughnut and run

Saturday marked the 5th annual Krispy Kreme Challenge, sponsored by NC State University. The objective of the challenge is simple:

• Run the 2 miles from the NC State belltower to the local Krispy Kreme


• Eat a dozen glazed doughnuts


• Run the 2 miles back to the NC State belltower


• Do not throw up

The winner did all this is 28:09. This means he ate 12 doughnuts in 5 minutes. If you participate as a challenger and complete the challenge (you must finish in under an hour to be eligible), you get a free t-shirt. Now, you can compete as a casual runner, which means you can eat as many doughnuts as you like, but you don't get a free t-shirt.

Scott and I did our part to support the runners by waiting at the Krispy Kreme with one doughnut (each) and coffee in hand, cheering on the contenders. Over 5,000 people participated, and ESPN was on the scene, so it was pretty amazing to see. Plus, the funny costumes added to the liveliness. One guy was dressed in a full-out tuxedo. Another pair of friends were dressed as Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts coffee cups. Still others decided to run in nothing but a Speedo.

The truly amazing thing is how this story got picked up. My parents, in southern IL, read about the race on the second page of their newspaper. I guess when there are doughnuts involved, people pay attention.

All proceeds benefit the NC Children's Hospital, so it's all good fun for a good cause. Maybe next year we'll take a stab at the race...as a casual runner.