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!

I found my corral; lined up with everyone, national anthem and we were off about 15 minutes after the first corral started. The first two miles weren't bad (just a bit cold) but after coming off the Memorial Bridge around mile three, I started to get warm. I took off one jacket and tied it around my waist. At this point, the 5k had started and I saw some of the fast runners around mile four for me. All that I could think of was that I needed to be faster because CB has a strict time limit of 2 hours and 20 minutes. Panic set in as I saw those runners and thought I still have six miles to go and can I make these time limit. However around mile six (the second jacket had come off so now I had two jackets around my waist), I realized that I would not only make the time cut-off but be okay with my time. I slowed down and enjoyed the race more at this point as I was coming into Haynes Point which is quite beautiful. I also managed to grab a great picture with the Washington Monument and Tidal Basil. It was extremely cold as there was nothing blocking the wind from the river front but I didn't want to put a jacket back on due to time. At mile nine, I realized that I had only one more mile and several volunteers at the water stop recognized me, hugged me and congratulations me for running the race. A huge THANK YOU to the volunteers that day either at the water stops, mile markers who were shouting out the miles, medical and police. You chose to support us in this cold, windy race and we couldn't have done it without you!!

As I started off Haynes Point towards the finish line, I always forget that there is a small incline around mile 9.5. I struggled through the wind front and crossed the finish line with the time that I had last year. A bit disappointed but overall happy given the weather conditions! Quick pictures but no medal (I actually borrowed someones) because I forgot to order one early.I love this race and can only hope that I will be able to run it again next year for my third year in a row. Did you run Cherry Blossom this year? How did you do considering the weather conditions? Would you run it again if you were chosen in the lottery?