The 2009 Krispy Kreme Challenge, an annual event designed by students to help benefit the North Carolina Children’s Hospital, has now eclipsed the registration total from 2008.

As of Monday night, the event had more than 3,400 registrants. Students who wish to register online have until Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. Paper registration will be available Friday night and Saturday morning before the race.

Carrie McMillan, a senior in history and one of the race organizers, said the extended registration deadline should give more people an opportunity to race.

“We’ve extended the deadline to register,” she said. “People can register the day of, but we’re encouraging people to register online. Most people know they are going to run it, but if people make last minute decisions we can accomodate them.”

In its fifth year, the Krispy Kreme Challenge has grown in popularity exponentially since its inception in 2004.

The tradition, which began as a bet between undergraduate students, has grown into an event which has now raised more than $30,000 for the North Carolina Children’s Hospital.

McMillan said representatives from the hospital will be at the event.

“There will be representatives from the hospital participating in the event,” she said. “Once the race is over, we will present them a big check.”

Saturday’s edition, based on the number of registrants to this point, will be the biggest in the event’s history.

McMillan said organizers are aiming for 5,000 registrants.

McMillan also said the problems with the economy have not hurt the race to this point.

“We were concerned that businesses would be sort of tight, but we’ve had really generous sponsors,” she said.

Drew White, a senior in biomedical engineering, said he is part of a group planning to dress up as doughnuts for the race on Saturday.

“We’re going to have 12 guys dress up as doughnuts and spell out Sportscenter on our chests,” he said. “Hopefully we can find little kiddy intertubes around our waist as doughnuts so they won’t fall off.”

White said the group is attempting to get on ESPN, who is covering the race live.

Rachael Huston, a senior in graphic design and race organizer, said several media outlets are planning to attend.

“We don’t have specifics, but we know ESPN will be out there,” she said. “Also, 99.9 The Fan will have exclusive radio coverage.”

Garrett Warren,a freshman in biomedical engineering, said he’s not worried about the distance of the challenge as much as eating the doughnuts and keeping them down.

“I did a lot of 5K’s in high school, but I’ve never eaten doughnuts in a massive amount,” he said. “It will be interesting. I hope they stay down.”

White said it doesn’t matter to him if he can’t keep the doughnuts down for the whole race.

“There might be some throwing up involved, but that’s expected,” he said. “If people aren’t throwing up, they aren’t doing it right.”

Those students registered for this year’s event are encouraged to show up early saturday. Check-in begins at 6 a.m. Saturday morning and the race is scheduled to begin about 9:30.

Any student not registered can pick one of three categories to register in. Both the challenger division and the casual division cost $16. Those registrants receive a race-day T-shirt and participate in the run. The supporter category, which costs $10, is for those wanting to support the cause but not run.

All proceeds go to the North Carolina Children’s Hospital.

Another new edition in this year’s race will be the use of chips designed to improve timing.

McMillan said the chips will keep track of times and provide runners split times so they know how long it took them to complete each leg of the race.

“When you cross the starting line, the chip kicks in,” she said. “We’ll also be able to track split times with this new system. Following the race, we will post all the times on our Web site.”

Warren said he hopes to finish the race in less than an hour.

“I have to finish, no question,” he said. “I’m hoping maybe 40 or 45 minutes. The doughnuts will make a big difference.”

Because of the large crowd expected, some students have expressed concern about parking availablility. Race organizers recommend the Reynolds Coliseum Deck on central campus.

Those interested in registering can visit www.krispykremechallenge.com or show up early on race day.