The 2011 Krispy  Kreme Challenge may still be months away, but preparations for the annual donut run have already begun. There is one aspect of the race, however, that organizers have decided to let N.C. State students figure out: the T-shirt design. 

Instead of creating the shirt themselves, John Yanik, a senior in biomedical engineering, and other co-chairs of the race have decided to hold a school-wide competition. The winning designer will receive $50 and bragging rights for creating a shirt that will be worn by over 7,500 people. 

Yanik says that requirements for the design are few, but that creativity is key. 

“This is a very unique event, and we’re just looking for something that represents that,” said Yanik. “We want the shirt to be something people will want to wear around all the time.”

While the front of the shirt will have the KKC “donut man” logo printed on the upper left chest, the back is for creative N.C. State students to fill. Yanik says that incorporating the logo on the back is not a must, but could win some bonus points among the co-chairs. 

“We’ve had T-shirts in the past that don’t include the guy, so it’s not necessary, but we’d like to have him there,” said Yanik. 

Christine Nguyen, a senior in civil engineering, is planning on entering the T-shirt design competition, and has decided to incorporate the logo in her final product. 

“I’ll probably use the donut man logo because it’s an instantly recognizable symbol. Plus, he’s a fun little guy,” said Nguyen. “I want to do something completely different from last year, though.”

Nguyen and other applicants will have to keep certain requirements in mind while creating their designs. Shirts will be printed in one color, either red or green, and on a white background. 

Designs should also incorporate a creative slogan. Previous slogans have included “Victory never tasted so sweet” and “Run, eat, repeat.”

Four important KKC statistics should also be a part of the design: 2,400 calories, 12 doughnuts, 4 miles, 1 hour. Finally, students must leave room at the bottom for logos of organizations sponsoring the event. 

Nguyen believes that the requirements are not too strict, and is glad the shirt will only be printed in one color. 

“Simple is better,” she said. 

Ali Thomas-Hollands, a senior in animal science, ran in the Krispy Kreme Challenge last year. She says that while her motivations for running the race are not centered on the T-shirt, it was a nice bonus. 

“I like having the shirt because it’s a reminder of this crazy event and my newfound hatred of doughnuts,” said Thomas-Hollands. 

Despite her not-so-pleasant encounter with the box of 12 Krispy Kremes, Thomas-Hollands plans to participate in the event again this year. “I like all the crazy costumes. I ran into a banana one time.”

The decision to turn this year’s T-shirt design into a campus-wide competition was based on the need to incorporate the student body into the race, and to solidify the Krispy Kreme Challenge as a uniquely N.C. State tradition. 

“We always struggle with ways of keeping the race an N.C. State thing while still allowing outsiders to participate,” said Yanik. “The T-shirt is an aspect that we can put in students’ hands and in their control.”

Yanik will be unable to run the race this year due to his obligations as event coordinator, but plans to participate next year. Having organized the race for three years now, Yanik believes he will be prepared to tackle all 12 doughnuts next year. 

“I’m going with the compressions strategy,” said Yanik. “I’ll take six doughnuts, squeeze them down to one, eat it, and then finish off the next six.”

To submit a design, students should email a copy to Yanik at jmyanik@ncsu.edu by 5 p.m. Friday, with the subject “Krispy Kreme Challenge.”