Man dies after running in Krispy Kreme Challenge
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – A man died on Saturday after running in a Raleigh foot race in which contestants are supposed to eat Krispy Kreme doughnuts, officials said.
The man died during the 12th annual Krispy Kreme Challenge, North Carolina State officials said.
“We regretfully confirm that a participant of today’s Krispy Kreme Challenge has died. A 58-year-old male stepped out of the race within the first mile and reported having chest pains. He was transported by EMS to Rex Hospital where he was pronounced dead. We are deeply saddened and wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones,” the Krispy Kreme Challenge directors said in a press release.
The Krispy Kreme Challenge is a student-led, charity-based run managed by Park Scholars at NC State University and supports the North Carolina Children’s Hospital.
“On behalf of the entire NC State community, our deepest sympathies go out to the runner’s family members and loved ones,” said Brad Bohlander, an NC State spokesman.
The Krispy Kreme Challenge is a race in which contestants run 5 miles while eating 12 doughnuts in an hour, according to race organizers.
Not all contestants must eat doughnuts, but those who are “Challengers” (instead of ‘casual runners’) are required to eat the doughnuts, according to race organizers.
The race allows runners “to compete in a unique challenge of both athletic and gastrointestinal skill,” according to the race website.
The man’s identity has not been made public.
Here is a description of the race from the organizer’s website:
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.