Krispy Kreme Challenge returns to Raleigh: 12 donuts, 5 miles, 1 hour
12 doughnuts, 5 miles, 1 hour! Raleigh's legendary Krispy Kreme Challenge returned Saturday for its 20th year.
Thousands participate each year in the Krispy Kreme Challenge, which started as a tradition among friends. The race, open to any doughnut-lover age 8 and older, is a test of physical fitness and gastrointestinal fortitude as runners try to consume 2,400 calories while eating 12 doughnuts and running 5 miles in one hour.
Registered participants begin the challenge at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Memorial Belltower on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, located at 2011 Hillsborough St. Race bibs can be picked up between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
Runners then travel 2.5 miles through 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. Then they run 2.5 miles back to the Memorial Belltower.
No, you don't have to eat all 12 donuts
There are three categories to the Krispy Kreme Challenge -- challenger, casual and no-doughnut runners.
Runners in all three categories begin the race at the same time and receive a race shirt., but only challenger and casual runners receive a box of doughnuts.
Challengers are eligible to win if they finish the race in under 1 hour and eat all 12 donuts. Casual runners can choose to leisurely eat donuts at their own pace. And no-doughnut runners are just there to run! The registration fee is the same for all categories.
Are dogs allowed at the Krispy Kreme Challenge?
Spectators can bring dogs, but runners are not allowed.
Road closures for the Krispy Kreme Challenge
During the race, Raleigh police closed the following roads to traffic from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday:
- Hillsborough Street: From Pogue Street to West Edenton Street
- West Edenton Street: From Hillsborough Street to Harrington Street
- Harrington Street: From West Edenton Street to Peace Street
- Peace Street/West Peace Street: Harrington Street to North Person Street
- North Wilmington Street: Polk Street to Peace Street
- Polk Street: From North Person Street to North Wilmington Street
- North Person Street: From Pace Street to Polk Street
- Pace Street: From North Blount Street to North Person Street
- North Blount Street: From Polk Street to Pace Street
- North Boylan Avenue: From Hillsborough Street to West Jones Street
- West Jones Street: From Hillsborough Street to St. Marys Street
- St. Marys Street: From West Jones Street to Hillsborough Street
Course map: Click or tap here to view runners' route on Saturday
Where does the money go?
The Krispy Kreme Challenge has raised more than $2 million for the UNC Children’s Hospital.
According to the event’s website, the money raised helps fund additional equipment and support services necessary to provide exceptional care. It makes possible innovative programs that aid in the treatment and care of children suffering from a wide range of illnesses.
The funds raised also give patients the chance to just be kids, by playing on the two-story play atrium or participating in a variety of on-site activities. In addition, the hospital has the state's only fully accredited hospital school, which keeps patients from kindergarten to 12th grade on top of their studies.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, races were held virtually. The 2022 race raised $92,000!
How the tradition of the Krispy Kreme Challenge started
In December 2004, the Krispy Kreme Challenge started as a dare among a few Park Scholars and their friends, all undergraduates.
Sophomore Ben Gaddy took home bragging rights that afternoon, running the race in 34 minutes and 27 seconds.
Organizers decided to publicize the Krispy Kreme Challenge. They turned it into something that brings people together and benefits an important cause.
Several publications have recognized the Krispy Kreme Challenge through the years, including:
- In 2008, Sports Illustrated ranked the Kripsy Kreme Challenge as No. 85 on its “101 Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate."
- In 2011, the NC State Student Government listed the Krispy Kreme Challenge as the No. 1 thing to do before you graduate.
- One of Denise Malan’s “The Runner's Bucket List: 200 Races to Run Before You Die."
Sugary stats in 20 years of the Krispy Kreme Challenge
North Carolina State University has compiled the following sugary stats about 20 years of the Kripsy Kreme Challenge:
- 1,088,870-plus doughnuts eaten
- 91,123 runners participated
- More than $2 million raised
- 455,615 miles run
