Man I love this kind of events. Krispy Kream Challenge, taco 5K, beer mile etc. That's where the most fun in this sport is.
It is such a relief after a long preparation for some serious race!
It's become a circus of "running events". Road Races for me have always been a serious undertaking - my interest is catching the guy in front of me - or lately, trying not to get passed too much. I don't want to see costume, strollers, people holding hands, rock bands or doughnuts. But if you guys want to do it - no problemo.
2
These events fall into the same nonsensical category as mud runs, color runs and other fabricated "challenges" for 20 somethings who can't even run a single mile in 7:00. The sport of road racing has been hijacked and is worse off.
1
There's absolutely nothing wrong with people getting outside, having a good time, running a just for fun race while raising money for charity. I was running a 7 minute mile well into my 50's. Yet still found joy in participating in a color run with all the women in my family, which included my 5 month old great niece who was pushed along in her stroller.
I've been a runner since Nike first invented the waffle trainer. Running isn't about how serious the runner takes the sport, but rather how much joy the sport brings to the runner.
I've been a runner since Nike first invented the waffle trainer. Running isn't about how serious the runner takes the sport, but rather how much joy the sport brings to the runner.
1
Why is this article in the "move" section of the NYT? It should figure in the food section instead under the heading "cheap food orgy masquerading as a sport event".
Let's do some simple math about the most famous such event: the Krispy Kreme Challenge. Let's assume an average runner only downs 10 doughnuts, this is 1900 Kcalories. In the meantime he/she will have burned no more than 400 Kcal in 30 minutes of race (I am being very generous by assuming an average pace of 10 miles an hour very few participants will be able to follow). So the "positive" calorie balance is 1500 Kcal from the most unhealthy food source (refined sugar combined with a lot of fat). Any participant believing in the cheap alibi of a 5-mile race being able to make up for this food orgy urgently needs some serious nutrition advice.
This kind of events is a disgrace for all those who are fighting obesity in this country, a scourge that costs hundreds of billions of dollars to our society every year and directly affects health-conscious citizens like me by raising their health insurance premiums by hundreds of dollars a year.
So I suggest the NYT stop condoning these disgusting manifestations of unabashed gluttony by placing them in the "move" section.
www.fitandwise.com
Let's do some simple math about the most famous such event: the Krispy Kreme Challenge. Let's assume an average runner only downs 10 doughnuts, this is 1900 Kcalories. In the meantime he/she will have burned no more than 400 Kcal in 30 minutes of race (I am being very generous by assuming an average pace of 10 miles an hour very few participants will be able to follow). So the "positive" calorie balance is 1500 Kcal from the most unhealthy food source (refined sugar combined with a lot of fat). Any participant believing in the cheap alibi of a 5-mile race being able to make up for this food orgy urgently needs some serious nutrition advice.
This kind of events is a disgrace for all those who are fighting obesity in this country, a scourge that costs hundreds of billions of dollars to our society every year and directly affects health-conscious citizens like me by raising their health insurance premiums by hundreds of dollars a year.
So I suggest the NYT stop condoning these disgusting manifestations of unabashed gluttony by placing them in the "move" section.
www.fitandwise.com
5
This should be extended to other sports, too. How about shots putting? It would finally make watching track and field fun.
1
The picture of William Coe with an open mouthful of donuts says a lot: Can you say, "Gluttony". Why is this even in the NTY? Combining a physical activity with donuts and bacon binging is corrupt!
1
Oh, brother. I wouldn't do it but I may want to watch.
I don't get this - at all. Sounds so ridiculous.
1
MY kind of races -- as long as they're for charity! :-)
1
Really? Ugh... gross...
Our son was part of the Park Scholarships program that created the Krispy Kreme Challenge. The race is eminently not about the food; that is only a way to attract runners and spectators. Quite to the contrary of the opinion of the writer who wrote about Americans going to bed hungry, the Krispy Kreme Challenge is a fund-raiser that raises over $200,000 annually for the North Carolina Children's Hospital. The fun, camaraderie and, yes, even the doughnuts help raise awareness for the participants and spectators (and now Times readers) of the importance of fitness and fund-raising for a worthy cause. So lighten up, please!
4
Funny as....the hamburger-eating contest....the marshmallow-eating contest...the banana-eating contest....the hot dog-eating contest...the beer-chugging contest...and all the other "stuff yourself until you vomit" contests.
encourage unhealthy eating, even babies are eating junk and then create a huge waste of boxes--no wonder our country is not so great anymore...
2
The only possible reason to run an item about food-centered running in the Well column is that you're officially out of ideas, which, judging by the recent content, seems plausible.
2
All doughnuts are gross to me. Nonetheless I like to see people (usually young) doing crazy things.
It sounds pretty silly to me, but then I'm 68. But I also believe these people are having fun and laughing which cuts stress. When I'm running I'm always surprised at the people I see and wave to that run on by with a scowl on their face. These people aren't enjoying the run. Just thinking about a doughnut makes me smile.
There are events for bicyclists, too. Staunton, Illinois has the annual Tour de Donuts, a 30 mile race in which riders' times are reduced by five minutes for each doughnut they consume during two pit stops in the nearby towns of Mt. Olive and Eagerville. I see from Googling that there are similar events in other areas.
Speaking as a Raleigh resident familiar with this particular 'race' for charity, I wish the organizers would be a bit more proactive in clarifying a few of the very real dangers that potentially present themselves. We had an extremely tragic death last year of an older gentleman at the tail end of this race, one which really should not be attempted by more senior participants who may be in not good health. This is a race for young bodies who can handle the hard physical onslought of running interrupted by mass ingestion of thoroughly artery clogging saturated fat dozen doughnuts, and then, more hard physical labor of yet more heart-pounding running, to- the finish line.
Another sad example of American branding and marketing acting irresponsibly. Sorry.
Another sad example of American branding and marketing acting irresponsibly. Sorry.
6
A dozen donuts for a short run is a bit extreme. The irony is that donut is actually my pre-race food of choice, among other things. A couple before a marathon is ideal.
1
How many americans go to bed hungry every night and we have people doing this. How about volunteering at a local soup kitchen instead.
10
To be fair, most of the events raise money for charities, including food banks....
8
Still, it is kind of gross
Then they should rename the race series the Irony-man.
Several years ago we visited a California college campus where the students were preparing for a pumpkin-destroying festival to benefit the local food bank. What next, we wondered - jello wrestling for the women's shelter, beer chugging for AA?
Several years ago we visited a California college campus where the students were preparing for a pumpkin-destroying festival to benefit the local food bank. What next, we wondered - jello wrestling for the women's shelter, beer chugging for AA?
1