The Krispy Kreme Challenge, which started out as a dare between a few NC State students, turned ten years old this year. This challenge has grown from just those few daredevil students to over eight thousand people running the race in downtown Raleigh. The proceeds are given to the NC Children’s hospital and this year the Krispy Kreme challenge raised $200,000. The Krispy Kreme Challenge took place on February 8th, 2014. There was high energy in the crowd and even bystanders were excited. Once the runners set off they ran two and a half miles to the intersection of Peace and Person Street where they chowed down on a dozen doughnuts. The runners could either sign up to be a challenger or a casual runner. Challenger meant that they signed up to eat a whole dozen doughnuts after the first two and a half miles, and then casual meant they could eat as many or few doughnuts as they wanted. Courtney Saunders was a challenger in the run. Saunders stated, “I loved all of the excitement and energy during the race as everyone was smiling and there were lots of people cheering along the way. As I reached the doughnuts I fully believed I could eat the whole dozen. The first 6 went by fairly quickly, but I began to struggle and had to stop at the 10th and only a bite out of the 11th and 12th. The run back also went by quickly as there was still lots of energy and encouragement from many participants and fans on the street. It was such a fun experience, and I am so glad I participated in the challenge.”
The race participants found creative ways to down their doughnuts. Some runners smashed them together like a sandwich and tried to get them down while other soaked theirs in water before eating them. There were also several people in crazy costumes while they were running. Some people were running in suits and ties, gorilla suits, and a banana costume. Jessica East, another challenger in the competition stated “it was really fun. All the different costumes people had were really fun to see. It wasn’t intense, it was relaxed and fun the whole way through.” However, Mike East another runner stated that, “instead of the City of Oaks Raleigh should be named the City of Hill. The race is a lot harder than most people think.” Even if the race was challenging everyone had a great time whether they were running or standing on the sidelines. Every year this challenge takes place just steps outside of our campus. It is a fun way to get involved with the community and it is for a great cause for the NC Children’s Hospital. For NC State students the race is $28 ahead of time and $35 after the date of registration. Non-NC State students must pay $35 before the date of registration and then $42 after.
