Krispy Kreme Challenge goes virtual

Thousands of doughnut-loving runners will not be taking to the streets of downtown Raleigh for the annual Krispy Kreme Challenge this year. Instead, the race, which raises money for the UNC Children's Hospital, has gone virtual.

Posted 2:11 p.m. Feb 1, 2021 — Updated 2:11 p.m. Feb 1, 2021

Kathy Hanrahan, Out

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Thousands of doughnut-loving runners will not be taking to the streets of downtown Raleigh for the annual Krispy Kreme Challenge this year. Instead, the race, which raises money for the UNC Children's Hospital, has gone virtual.

"Due to COVID-19, the 17th Annual Krispy Kreme Challenge in 2021 will be a virtual race. Despite these unfortunate circumstances, we are still committed to supporting the UNC Children’s Hospital. You will still be able to run the race virtually, however we will not be able to provide a normal race day experience in order to prioritize the safety of our runners. We thank you for your understanding and your commitment to this event and it is our hope that we can still have a successful race day in 2021," organizers wrote on the official race website.

Registration is still open for this year's virtual event. Runners are encouraged to run during the official race week, Feb. 6-13, but can run anytime they choose. Krispy Kreme doughnut vouchers will be sent to all racers. On Feb. 6, there will be virtual events all day including a costume contest and live chat.

The Krispy Kreme Challenge, started in 2004 as a silly stunt by a group of friends at North Carolina State University, asks runners of all talent levels to make a 2.5-mile trek from the N.C. State Memorial Bell tower through historic downtown Raleigh to the Krispy Kreme located at the intersection of Peace and Person Streets, where they attempt to consume one dozen original glazed doughnuts. After the feast, runners trek the 2.5 miles back to the starting line.

Since its inception, the event has raised more than $1.6 million for UNC Children's Hospital, a specialty-designed hospital that caters to the needs of sick or injured children and their families.

The annual race features a mix of college students, families and even parents pushing strollers. Many racers create special costumes for the event.