2011 Krispy Kreme Challenge: Been There, Donut.

This past Saturday saw the return of one of Raleigh's best and most eclectic running events, the Krispy Kreme Challenge. In this race, started by four friends at NC State seven years ago, the runners face the challenge of running 2 miles (actually about 2.3) from the NC State bell tower to the Peace Street Krispy Kreme, eating a dozen donuts, and running back -- all in an hour or less. (There's also a non-eating, Casual division for runners like me trying to get rid of calories, not put a bunch in.) Although I missed the inaugural, when it was just those four guys and a few friends, I've been privileged to run KKC each year since then, so 2011 was my sixth run. The race has grown exponentially each year thanks to coverage from ESPN; in 2010 they capped the race at 6,000 runners, and the 2011 cap of 7,500 runners was reached more than three weeks early.

The 2011 running was the first one to face rain in addition to the cold temps. (The 2009 race still stands as the exemplar, when we had perfect warm temps and sunshine, which always helps to bring out interesting costumes.) I'm sure the cold and rain helped keep the number of runners down somewhat, but there was still a good level of excitement and fun among the wet and chilly runners that did show up.

I waited in the warmth of the Hillsborough Street YMCA with some running friends until about twenty minutes before the race, and then we made a break through the rain to the start/finish line about a quarter-mile away at the bell tower. I was able to weasel my way into a spot near the front of the pack of runners, and I could see the pack extending way on back past Sadlack's Heroes down Hillsborough Street. I didn't see as much media coverage, probably because of the rain, but a lot of folks had out their own flip cameras, interviewing their friends and other runners, especially the folks who came out in their costumes anyway. As I stood packed in the mass of runners, I looked up at the bell tower and thought about the race's early history, when it was still small enough for us to mass on the grassy space and take off from there, and when we finished by running up the walk, up the steps and touching the bell tower, just like the original challengers.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to hear much of the announcements that were made pre-race, but a large video screen displayed the countdown to start, and as soon as it reached zero, there was a loud cheer and we were off around the new roundabout and on down the street! There was lots of excitement and a good number of soggy spectators cheering on the festivities. The warmth we got huddled up at the starting line gave way to a little bit of chilling wind on the road, but as the runners spread out along the road, passing each other at different speeds and making the various turns onto Saint Mary's Street and through Glenwood South, we got to enjoy all the fun and the costumes.

Costumes were down a bit, probably because of the weather, but a lot of folks still put great effort into showing off and getting noticed. This year I saw Abraham Lincoln, Batman and Spiderman, Flash and Wolverine, Dog the Bounty Hunter, the Mario brothers, Hulk Hogan and Duffman. There were guys running as a group in long flannel pajamas, guys running in Snuggies, and women running in ballerina tutus (tuti?). Troy Polamalu was there, as were some Green Bay Packer fans. I saw guys in sombreros and guys in hot dog outfits, convicts and cops, chefs, the ever-popular banana suit, a flamingo, a drag queen, and a running Whoopie cushion. There were lots of Vikings this year, including one who was carrying some donuts on his hat horns. The guys from "Dumb and Dumber" were back again. I saw guys running in their Underoos and a woman running in a bikini. The guy from NC State with the big engineered donut on his head was back, and this year he was running barefoot; unfortunately the big donut didn't hold up as well in the rain this year. There were runners dressed up as donuts themselves, and folks painted to salute their schools. A lot more teams ran together this year and came complete with matching outfits. And, of course, Elvis made another appearance.

Once we reached Krispy Kreme, the volunteers did a great job of dividing the challengers from the casual runners, and everyone spread out across the Krispy Kreme property to consume their donuts. This was a popular spot for spectators to gather, so it was great atmosphere, and we were even getting a bit of a break in the rain. I enjoyed checking out all the eating approaches -- the "mash" still appears to be the most popular technique -- and I hobnobbed a bit with some familiar faces in the crowd, and then it was off for the return trip to NC State.

I remember the first couple of years I ran the KKC, you really did have to watch your step on the way back because of the runners who couldn't keep their donuts down on the return trip. The last couple of years, though, I haven't really seen a lot of instances of runners getting sick or throwing up on the streets. Either I must be getting faster or the Challengers must be doing their donut training better!

When we made the final right turn for the last half-mile on Hillsborough Street, we got the double-whammy of being straight into a headwind and the rain picking back up. But the last stretch up the hill and around the roundabout was still lined with spectators, so it was a lot of fun and great atmosphere for the finish. Despite the weather and low temps, everyone seemed to be in great spirits, and it was definitely a party atmosphere post-race. However, I was ready to get out of the rain, so I didn't stick around long to socialize and headed back down to the YMCA to get warm and get cleaned up.

I saw Chris Damico and Mark Korey out on the course, along with Celia and Andy and some other running friends from the Nog Run Club. Overall, the race raised a very impressive $100,000 for the North Carolina Childrens Hospital, so big congratulations to the race organizers for doing another excellent event! Maybe next year I'll enter the Challenger division....