ehyman@newsobserver.com
Owen Stone of Raleigh struggles with his doughnuts during last year's Krispy Kreme Challenge.
RALEIGH -- If you’re taking part in Saturday’s 8th Annual Krispy Kreme Challenge, you’d better be prepared to run a little longer than in years past. The route has been expanded to nearly 5 miles – up from about 4 miles last year.
Race organizers altered the course through downtown Raleigh side streets for safety reasons, adding the extra mile. The race still begins and ends at the N.C. State University Bell Tower on Hillsborough Street, with a midpoint stop at the Krispy Kreme on Person Street, where the serious competitors will scarf down a dozen original glazed doughnuts before running back.
Start time: 8:30 a.m. at the Bell Tower.
Number of runners: 7,700, up from 7,500 last year. All of the spots have been filled.
If you didn’t register: You can still watch and cheer participants anywhere along the route. Merchandise will be available for sale near the Bell Tower. Sign up as a Supporter for $10 and get an official race T-shirt.
Challengers vs. Casual Runners: Challengers are the serious runners who are expected to eat the entire dozen doughnuts and make it back to the finish line in an hour. Those registered as Casual Runners don’t have to eat all the doughnuts. Challengers and Casual Runners get a dozen doughnuts per participant, plus a race T-shirt. They each paid $20 for NCSU students and $27 for non-students.
Where does the money go? To N.C. Children’s Hospital in Chapel Hill. Last year, the race raised $122,000 for the hospital.
How did the event begin? A small group of NCSU students first challenged each other to complete a doughnut-eating race in 2004. The event has grown bigger every year since.
The stats: Participants are expected to eat a total of 92,400 doughnuts. That doesn’t include the glazed treats that spectators will likely consume. There are 2,400 calories and 144 grams of fat in each dozen.
Does each runner succeed? How do we put this delicately? Um, not everyone will make it back to the finish line with all the doughnuts in his or her stomach. Watch your step.
Traffic: Many roads along the route, including Hillsborough Street, will be closed through the morning.
For more information: www.krispykremechallenge.com
Check out our photos: The New & Observer will have hundreds of pictures from the event online Saturday afternoon at newsobserver.com/localpics
