Thousands dine and dash at Krispy Kreme Challenge

Thousands of doughnut-loving runners will take to streets of downtown Raleigh Saturday morning for the 14th annual Krispy Kreme Challenge, which raises money for the UNC Children's Hospital.

The event, 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 5-mile circuit 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 $1.35 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.