Krispy Kreme Challenge

Raleigh, NC

Run 2.5 Miles. Eat a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Run 2.5 Miles. The Original Krispy Kreme Challenge takes place on Saturday, February 4th at The NC State University Belltower. The race benefits the NC Children's Hospital.

2400 calories, 12 doughnuts, 5 miles, 1 hour.  The mantra of the Krispy Kreme Challenge epitomizes the test of physical fitness and gastrointestinal fortitude. 

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

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. This is the Krispy Kreme Challenge.

A Tradition Begins

The Krispy Kreme Challenge started in December 2004 as a dare between a few NC State undergraduate students. Sophomore Ben Gaddy took home bragging rights that afternoon, running the race in 34 minutes and 27 seconds.

After receiving positive coverage from campus newspapers, Krispy Kreme Challenge was placed as #85 on the “102 More Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate” by Sports Illustrated, and N.C. State Student Government also named it the “#1 Thing to Do Before You Graduate.”  It was no surprise when organizers selected The NC Children’s Hospital as the most deserving beneficiary of this ultimate collegiate challenge.

The North Carolina Children’s Hospital

The North Carolina Children’s Hospital is a specially-designed hospital that caters to the needs of children that are sick or injured, and their families.  This state-of-the-art facility was designed with children in mind, and provides conveniences to the patients that help them to just be kids, such as a 2-story play atrium designed to look like an outdoor park.  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.  The medical amenities include a newborn critical care facility, a cardiac care unit, a comprehensive cancer center, and more. 

You can feel confident when you participate in the Krispy Kreme Challenge that your donation is supporting a great cause. 

When & Where

Feb 3, 2024

Saturday

7:00 AM

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Raleigh, NC

Race Start/Finish - NCSU Belltower

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