Get Your Doughnut On! Krispy Kreme Challenge Feb. 7th

On the matter of traditions at State, this is a great new one.

I know what you're saying to yourself.

You're saying, "Damn. I love running. I love eating doughnuts. I love vomiting. If only I could do all three things at once, for charity!"

If only I had a nickel, right?

Well, that's why every year in winter, folks by the dozens decide to don running shoes, running wear and even a costume or two as they participate in the Krispy Kreme Challenge, a 4-mile roundtrip run from the belltower on State's campus to the Peace St. Krispy Kreme and back.

(Continues)

From the Challenge's website:

The Krispy Kreme Challenge is an annual,
student-operated race in Raleigh, North Carolina
benefiting the NC Children's Hospital. Beginning
in 2004 with a mere 12 participants, the race
has grown exponentially to a whopping 3,000
runners in the 2008 race and has rapidly become
one of NC State University's newest traditions.

Beginning at the NC State Belltower, each runner
runs 2 miles to the Krispy Kreme store located
on Peace St. in Raleigh. After downing a full dozen
of the famous Krispy Kreme doughnuts, the runner
must run the two miles back. All in one hour.

The challenge attracts a wide range of runners from
beginners to serious competitors hailing from all
corners of the country. With an expected participation
of 5,000 runners, we are expecting the 2009 race
to be our greatest (and most beneficial) race yet.

As of today, the 13th, there are still 22 days remaining to register for the Challenge. If you haven't done any "training" yet--either running or eating--expect this to truly be a challenge. Vomiting is a common occurrence for many of the participants (the human body wasn't designed to exercise after ingesting 2400 calories in a five minute span?) and no doubt makes for interesting walking along the sidewalks of Peace St. for several days. Pray for rain, I suppose.

I won't be running this year, but hopefully you--the faithful readers of this blog (both of you)--will run (and eat) in my stead.