The Krispy Kreme Challenge supports the UNC Children's Hospital, a specialty-designed hospital that caters to the needs of sick or injured children and their families. I had heard about this race prior to moving to North Carolina. Five miles and eat a dozen doughnuts in one hour. Wow! I had also heard that a lot of people get sick on the race course after eating the donuts. Participants begin the Challenge at the Memorial Belltower on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. Runners then travel 2.5 miles 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. The hardest part of the Challenge awaits them as they run 2.5 miles back to the Memorial Belltower. You can run the race as a challenger (a runner who runs the 2.5 miles and eats the dozen donuts prior to being allowed to reenter the race), a casual runner (a runner who runs the race and can eat zero to a dozen donuts) or a no doughnut runner (a runner who doesn't eat any donuts). I signed up a casual runner. The expo was held on the campus of North Carolina State University. Parking was a bit tricky as you had to pay to park in the garages and walk to the student union. The expo was held in the ballroom and only had about five tables of displays. The shirts were white cotton shirts with the logo and the sponsors on the back. You could purchase a medal at an additional cost. The expo was really just a bib pick-up; nothing there besides a photo opportunity with a background and inflatable doughnuts.

The morning of the race it was really cold; 25 degrees! Parking on street was doable however I arrived early at 7:15 am for a 8:30 am start time. People dress up for this race in all kinds of costumes. I saw a group of power rangers, unicorns, Wizard of Oz and even some in just speedos! The race began on time and the first mile was mostly downhill. Nice! The race winds itself through the city of Raleigh to the Krispy Kreme store at two and half miles. I would suggest that you bring a backpack to store your doughnuts. At the store, everyone was either eating doughnuts or picking them up. It was the only water stop. However, it was well organized and I didn't see anyone getting sick there or along the course afterwards. The course back was mostly uphill but the weather turned warmer. Overall the course was great through the city.

There really wasn't a runner village afterwards either as this race is a huge fundraiser. Would I do this race again. Absolutely!