Krispy Kreme Runners Set for a Glaze of Glory 

While Raising Money for the N.C. Children’s Hospital

 

The Krispy Kreme Challenge is one of the largest road races in the Southeastern United States, attracting athletes from all corners of the country and globe. The five-mile race begins as many races do; however, at the halfway mark, participants are met with an interesting challenge: a dozen glazed doughnuts.

 

What started as a spur-of-the-moment dare among 12 college students has grown into an accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization organized by North Carolina State University students. While the doughnuts make this race unique, what really sets the event apart is the support it provides for its beneficiary, the North Carolina Children’s Hospital. The Krispy Kreme Challenge is proud to be the largest private financial supporter of the hospital, making up more than 10% of its annual private donations.

 

The North Carolina Children’s Hospital is the region’s premiere hospital of its kind, catering to the needs of children that have special medical needs. The facility was designed with children in mind, and provides conveniences to the patients that help them to just be kids. By supporting the Krispy Kreme Challenge, participants are giving a vote of confidence to a hospital that provides a variety of state-of-the-art medical services regardless of the family’s ability to pay. The hospital ranks in 10 out of 10 clinical categories in U.S. News & World Report’s 2012-2013 “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals” list, and is the only hospital in North Carolina with this distinction.

 

The upcoming race, set to take place on Feb. 9, 2013, is the largest to date, with an expected 8,000 runners embarking on this gastrointestinal and physical challenge. But you can further your support of the N.C. Children’s Hospital by participating in our new fundraising initiative. 

 

Here’s how it works. Grab five to 10 of your closest friends. Talk to your colleagues, family members, neighbors, and acquaintances about the Krispy Kreme Challenge and the N.C. Children’s Hospital and ask them to make a (tax-deductible) contribution to your fundraising team. If your team raises the most money between Dec. 1 and Feb. 1, you’ll receive the inaugural Krispy Kreme Challenge Cup as part of the race day awards.

 

By participating in the race or fundraising for our cause, you’re directly supporting children like Ashley. A 9-year-old superstar, Ashley was diagnosed in 2010 with cancer of the nervous system and later developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She has battled through seven rounds of chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, a stem cell transplant, and more, and spent more than 125 nights at the hospital. She inspires those around her by doing all of this with a smile on her face.

 

Make a difference in the life of a child today. Click “Get Involved” on our website, krispykremechallenge.com, to learn more. 

 

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Registration Is Open!

 

The ninth annual Krispy Kreme Challenge will welcome a record 8,000 runners on Feb. 9, 2013. Race leadership expects to reach this limit before the event, so visit the website to claim your spot while they are available. Runners may register as a “Challenger” or “Casual Runner” with the same registration fees. Both types of participants begin the race at the same time and receive a T-shirt and doughnuts. However, in order to claim victory, the runner must be registered as a Challenger, consume all 12 doughnuts, and complete the race in under one hour. 

 

The Krispy Kreme Challenge is a family-friendly affair, and we encourage doughnut lovers of all ages to participate. While there are some elite athletes who take the race very seriously, many of participants leisurely stroll through historic downtown Raleigh, grab their doughnuts, and stroll back. 

 

Visit our website for more information or to contact the race committee.