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| Race Report by Ron Horton
It was a cold rainy morning for thousands of runners to gather at the NC State Bell Tower. 35 degrees and plenty of pecipitation - but it failed to dampen the enthusiasm for the Krispy Kreme Challenge! What started as a run by six Wolfpack undergraduate students in December 2004 has grown - this year registration was cut off at 7,500 runners. It's for a great cause - the NC Children's Hospital. Besides, as runners know, "There is no such thing as bad weather. Only inadeaquate clothing."
Ron showed up, to represent the Law Enforcement community (jersey from CMPD and slightly askew cap from his nephew Ian who is currently serving with the 101st Airborne MPs in Afghanistan) and everyone else who likes a good run - and a great donut (or 12).
Got a pretty good position in the starting grid. You start at the Bell Tower at NC State and run 2 miles to the original Krispy Kreme plant at the corner of Peace and Person Streets.
Once arriving at KK, you are given a box of one dozen glazed donuts. You must eat all 12 before you are allowed to leave the parking lot to start your run back. Marc Deluca perfected the technique when he ran the challenge a couple of years ago - mash three donuts together, then use your water bottle to rinse off as much of the sugar as you can. The first three went down quickly, the next three not quite as fast, the third three were a real challenge, and then...
...the last three were the equivalent of the Marathon Wall. Was considering throwing in the towel and giving up my Challenger status to drop back to "Casual Runner" status which means you don't have to eat all 12 donuts. BUT THEN I spotted a young skinny guy finishing his dozen AND a GALLON of milk. That was inspiration enough, I finished up and headed back, carrying my empty KK box for a souvenir.
Made it across the finish line, the box had some collateral damage from the constant rain on the trip back.
My good friend and Photoshop expert Ricky decided I really shouldn't have that blue shirt on in the shadow of the Bell Tower.
The Grant Thornton Raleigh crew did a great job running AND raising money for the Habitat Women’s Build as well as the Children's Hospital. L to R: Brad, Bailey, Lindsay, Scott, and Mary.
Lindsay is halfway done!
Lindsay proving she met the challenge (Bailey did too!) BTW, if people being willing to run in a cold rain while eating donuts impresses you enough to help them out with their very worthwhile cause - Women's Build for Habitat for Humanity - click here to donate. |
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