{"id":698,"date":"2021-07-06T15:29:45","date_gmt":"2021-07-06T19:29:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncsu.edu\/?page_id=698"},"modified":"2026-04-02T11:52:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T15:52:35","slug":"krispy-kreme-challenge","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ncsu.edu\/spirit-and-traditions\/krispy-kreme-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"Krispy Kreme Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

Trailglazers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each year, runners brave the brisk winter weather to embark on a quest of guts, glory and glaze: the Krispy Kreme Challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The student-run event dares participants to dash two and a half miles<\/strong> from the Belltower to the nearest Krispy Kreme, eat 12 doughnuts<\/strong> and then \u2014 with stomachs bursting \u2014 finish with another two-and-a-half-mile run<\/strong> back to their starting point. All in one hour<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What began as a weekend lark among Park Scholars<\/a> has grown into a nationally recognized race, drawing in thousands of participants \u2014 and earning a spot on every NC State student\u2019s bucket list.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Your Challenge Awaits<\/h2>\n

Join thousands of students, volunteers and runners to experience one of NC State’s sweetest traditions.<\/p>\n \n

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\n \n Get involved<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
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“I couldn\u2019t be prouder to say that this was my stupid idea.”<\/p>\n

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Chris Arbonies<\/p>\n \n

B.A. psychology, 2007<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/blockquote>\n\n\n

\n \n The Park Scholar connection<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n
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A Reason To Run<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t just a show of gastrointestinal fortitude. The Krispy Kreme Challenge is an NC State tradition rooted in one of our most cherished values: philanthropy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception in 2004, the challenge has raised more than $2 million for the University of North Carolina Children\u2019s Hospital<\/a>, making this event the hospital\u2019s largest unrestricted donor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out some sugary stats racked up over 22 years <\/strong>of the Krispy Kreme Challenge:<\/p>\n\n\n

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1,130,000+ Doughnuts Consumed<\/h2>\n

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104,900+ Runners Participated<\/h2>\n

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$2.4M+ Raised<\/h2>\n

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510,000+ Miles Run<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Nearly 6,000 people participated in the 22nd annual Krispy Kreme Challenge this weekend, which raised $160,000 for the UNC Children\u2019s Hospital. \ud83c\udf69\ud83c\udfc3\ud83d\udca8 https:\/\/t.co\/QyvZnhf8lV<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/mLDKCKnj7t<\/a><\/p>— NC State University (@NCState) February 12, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>