Krispy Kreme Challenge

Five miles. Twelve doughnuts. One hour.

Discover the daring delight that’s become one of Raleigh’s fastest-growing traditions.

Trailglazers

On a brisk winter morning each year, runners gather at NC State’s campus to embark on a quest of guts, glory and glaze: the Krispy Kreme Challenge.

The student-run event dares participants to dash two and a half miles from the Belltower, eat 12 doughnuts and then — with stomachs bursting — finish with another two-and-a-half-mile run back to their starting point. All in one hour.

What began as a weekend jaunt among Park Scholars has grown into a nationally recognized race, drawing in thousands of participants — and earning a spot on every NC State student’s bucket list.

Campus Life

When a group of friends gathered for the first Challenge, they never imagined their lark would become a signature NC State tradition.

Discover the origin story

Your Challenge Awaits

Join thousands of students, volunteers and runners again next year — and experience one of NC State's sweetest traditions.

Learn how to get involved

A Reason to Run

This isn’t just a show of gastrointestinal fortitude. The Krispy Kreme Challenge is an NC State tradition rooted in an NC State value: philanthropy.

Since its inception in 2004, the Challenge has raised more than $1.5 million for the University of North Carolina Children’s Hospital, making it the hospital’s largest unrestricted donor. Another $500,000 has been pledged by the year 2020.

Explore some sugary stats racked up over 15 years of the Krispy Kreme Challenge:

950,000+ Doughnuts Consumed

399,020 Miles Run

$1.5M Raised

79,804 Runners Participated

I couldn’t be prouder to say that this was my stupid idea.

Chris Arbonies, B.A. psychology, 2007

Uncover the Park Scholars connection
Sustainability

Certified by the NC State Sustainability Office, the Challenge facilitates the recycling of more than 28,000 boxes and cups after each race.

Learn how it's done
Greg Mulholland and Vice Chancellor Tom Stafford talk before the Krispy Kreme Challenge.
Service and Community

Students manage every aspect of the Challenge, from securing 8,000 boxes of doughnuts to managing a corps of 150-plus race-day volunteers.

See them in action
Discarded doughnut boxes from the Krispy Kreme Challenge.
Faculty

Is running on a full stomach a recipe for disaster? We caught up with Sarah Ash, a professor of nutrition at NC State, to find out.

Get the facts
Playlist

Every runner needs a little edge while wrangling for space among the 30,000 knees and elbows near the starting line.

Score some motivational music
Campus Life

Want to follow along with this year's Krispy Kreme Challenge? Stay tuned to @NCState for updates on your favorite fun run.

Take a look back at last year's run
Krispy Kreme Challenge participant eats a doughnut in costume.

Join the Pack

The NC State Experience

NC State is a university like no other, with spirited events and hallowed spaces. Start building your bucket list.

Apply to NC State

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