ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

​There's A Five-Mile Krispy Kreme Race Where You Have To Eat 12 Doughnuts

​There's A Five-Mile Krispy Kreme Race Where You Have To Eat 12 Doughnuts

For 2021, the event has gone virtual, with competitors encouraged to complete the race at some point during a seven-day window

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

The Krispy Kreme Challenge is making its triumphant, sugary return this month - although this year, it's gone virtual.

The event is a charity race in Raleigh, North Carolina, which gives runners one hour to complete a five-mile course while working their way through 12 doughnuts.

The website explains: "2400 calories, 12 doughnuts, 5 miles, 1 hour.

"The mantra of the Krispy Kreme Challenge epitomises the test of physical fitness and gastrointestinal fortitude.

"What started as a challenge among ten friends has transformed into a nationally publicised charity race, and the number one tradition to complete before graduating from North Carolina State University."

However, with a pandemic on our hands, bringing thousands of doughnut-guzzling runners together probably isn't the best idea right now, as nice as it would be.

This means that for 2021, things are set to be a little different, with competitors now being encouraged to join the event virtually.

A statement on the event's website said: "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."

Rather than gathering everyone together at the same time, runners have a seven-day period between 6 and 13 February to run the challenge on their own.

Instagram/Krispy Kreme Challenge

Registration includes a T-shirt and a voucher for a dozen doughnuts, to be redeemed at 'any Krispy Kreme in the US'.

Competitors can also add on the medal for an extra $5, which will be shipped out to them by the event organisers.

Last year's event took place on 1 February 2020, and saw 5,489 runners taking part.

$175,000 was raised and handed over to the University of North Carolina Children's Hospital, in turn bringing the cumulative donations from the yearly event to more than $1.8 million.

Organisers say on the website: "Since its inception, the Krispy Kreme Challenge has been proud to support the UNC Children's Hospital, a specially-designed hospital that caters to the needs of sick or injured children and their families.

Instagram/Krispy Kreme Challenge

"The mission of the hospital is to provide the highest quality care to patients from all 100 counties in North Carolina, regardless of a family's ability to afford the services.

"The money we raise goes to help 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.

"It also gives patients the chance to just be kids, by playing on the 2-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."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Food, News, Race, US News