How 1 Hour, 5 Miles, and 12 Doughnuts Make a Huge Difference

The 8th annual Krispy Kreme Challenge: February 4, 2012
 
Yes, Krispy Kreme: the blessed makers of those all-too wonderful, magical glazed doughnuts.

No, the challenge is not one of those things where you get a t-shirt or your picture on a wall if you eat an absurd number of doughnuts in a ridiculously small window of time.

It's a charity race--benefiting the North Carolina Children's Hospital--that started 8 years ago at NC State University. 

And it's actually become the biggest race in the state of North Carolina, drawing over 7,500 runners. Last year alone, the Krispy Kreme Challenge donated $122,000 to the NC Children's Hospital.

But where do the doughnuts come in? 
 
About 2.5 miles into the race. Seriously.

Starting at the NC State Belltower, competitors race 2.5 miles to the Krispy Kreme where they will scarf down a dozen of the famous glazed doughnuts.

After putting the box-of-twelve to shame, runners race the same 2.5 miles back to the Belltower.

In 1 hour.

I like doughnuts, and I like good causes...but I don't know if I can do it all!

That's why you have the option of signing up as a Challenger or a Casual Runner.

If you're a Challenger, you're in it to win it (and have fun). You're in it for the long haul. You're putting down those 12 glazed doughnuts like it's no big deal, and you're crossing that finish line--wearing whatever crazy costume you might be wearing--in 1 hour. You get fired up just watching this training video.

If you're a Casual Runner, you may or may not go for the dozen. Maybe you'll have 8. Maybe you'll have 1. Maybe you'll jog to Krispy Kreme and lollygag your way back to the Belltower.

Or maybe you don't want to race at all, but want to support the NC Children's Hospital and want a really cool t-shirt. You can do that, too (just register as a Supporter for $10).

This sounds so cool...

That's because it is. It's so cool, in fact, that:

• Sports Illustrated ranked it #85 on their 2007 "102 Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate" list
• On NC State's campus, it's the #1 "Thing to Do Before You Graduate"
• ESPN's Greg Garber came to Raleigh, covered the event, and participated as a Challenger in 2009
• Springleaf's managing director, Evelyn, is already registered for this year's event! Whether or not she signed up as a Challenger, she has yet to disclose.

It's so cool, in fact, that:

• You should register for the race. 
• If you can't participate, you should be a Supporter.
• You should follow them on Twitter.
• You should like them on Facebook. 

Hope to see you on the 4th - in costume would even be better - and be sure to say hey to Evelyn if you see her there!