Almost 7,000 runners participated in the 13th annual Krispy Kreme Challenge this Saturday, which started and ended at the NC State Belltower. The race began at 8:30 a.m., and included participants of all ages from across the state. All of the proceeds from the event went to the UNC Children’s Hospital.
Ryen Ormesher, a senior studying biomedical engineering and a member of the Krispy Kreme Challenge organizing team described this year’s race as successful, and was happy with how it went. Ormesher has been a member of the Krispy Kreme Challenge organizing team since her freshman year, and was able to reflect on her experience putting the event together.
“Each year, we are really impressed with how many people come together to raise money for the race,” Ormesher said. “And more people than ever seem to come together and really be excited about it this year, so that’s something we are really pleased with.”
The first place finisher, and the overall winner, was Nick Ottman, with a time of 30 minutes and 15 seconds. This is Ottman’s third win. Caroline Armstrong won first place in the female category, with a time of 36 minutes and 3 seconds. The Duke Club Running Team took home the trophy for team with fastest total times with 2 hours, 20 minutes and 53 seconds.
Cal Maxwell, a sophomore studying sports management, ran his second Krispy Kreme Challenge this year, finishing in 1 hour and 3 minutes. Maxwell was dressed a ketchup bottle to encourage other participants to “catch up.”
“It helps raise money for a great cause, and it is one of those things in college that you really need to experience in NC State,” Maxwell said. “I think it’s pretty unique to the campus, and it’s just a lot of fun doing it with a bunch of friends and having a great time – great memories.”
Wes Potts, a 2012 NC State alumnus, returned to participate in the challenge for the first time. He found the experience a little difficult.
“Eating the doughnuts was the hardest part,” Potts said. “I thought I would only need 10 minutes to do it, but it took me 25 minutes or something. I’m okay now. I’m a lot better than what I thought I was gonna be. I definitely stopped a few times on the way back.”
This year, runners were able to opt out of eating the doughnuts during the race by choosing to run in the “no-doughnut” category.
Bridget Gallagher, a junior studying nutrition at UNC-Chapel Hill, ran with a group of friends but chose not to eat the doughnuts. It took her 50 minutes to finish the race, but her friends who participated in the doughnut version of the race were not able to keep up with her. She waited for them at the Belltower.
“I did not eat any doughnuts,” Gallagher said. “I did the no-doughnuts version of this so I feel pretty fine.”
Jonathan Dolan, a senior studying biology at UNC-Chapel Hill, found the race a great opportunity for testing his endurance, he especially enjoyed how all the other participants cheering on one another. Dolan and his friend, Austin Corriher, senior studying architecture in NC State, waited four years to participate in the challenge.
“It is a good cause, and it’s also a way to test yourself,” Dolan said. I feel like it’s a great way to push yourself so that you know what your limits are.”
For more information about supporting the UNC Children’s Hospital, please visit: www.uncchildrens.org/uncmc/unc-childrens/support/
Morgan Bounds, a Raleigh local and former NC State student, stuffs a doughnut into his mouth during the Krispy Kreme Challenge on Feb 4. Bounds has run the annual challenge four times before this event, which had about 6900 people signed up before the race started.
