San Diego Donut Dash to Feature Doughnut-Eating Race.
For those who have ever wanted to combine doughnuts with running, the third annual San Diego Donut Dash offers the perfect opportunity. The event will take place on September 15 at Rancho Bernardo Community Park.
This year’s Donut Dash includes a 5K, 10K, a kids’ dash, and the much-anticipated Donut Mile. The Donut Mile, which has grown in popularity, will now accommodate up to 100 participants, up from 25 in previous years, according to race organizer Jeff Stoner.
In the Donut Mile, runners must eat four doughnuts—either cake or glazed—during the race, consuming one doughnut at each quarter-mile lap around the park. Failure to eat a doughnut before running each lap results in disqualification. To increase the challenge, Stoner aims to provide particularly heavy doughnuts.
“It’s a really tough experience,” Stoner said.
The Donut Dash is designed to be a fun family event. “How many times do you get to do a run where there is a doughnut bar at the end?” Stoner said. “We have created a family fun atmosphere.”
Last year, approximately 450 runners participated. This year, organizers expect between 500 and 600 participants. They plan to offer at least 1,000 doughnuts in various flavors for runners and spectators throughout the morning.
As of Monday, 270 runners had registered, including 20 for the Donut Mile, according to the event’s website. The event aims to raise funds for the Rancho Bernardo Community Council, supporting free local events and programs such as a safety fair, Earth Day fair, chalk art competition, patriotic pet contest, and Cocoa with Santa. Stoner hopes to donate $2,000 to the council.
Online registration fees are $28.74 for the Donut Mile, $71.53 for the 10K, and $52.28 for the 5K. On-site registration is available, but pre-registration is encouraged to help organizers estimate the number of doughnuts needed. All entrants will receive a finisher’s medal and a chip-timed bib, with prizes awarded to the top three men and women in each race.
The 10K race begins at 8 a.m., followed by the 5K at 8:30 a.m. The Donut Mile will start in waves at 9:30 a.m. The 10K and 5K courses will feature a mix of trails and bike paths. Due to the terrain, strollers are only allowed in the 5K. The 10K and 5K are open to all ages, while the Donut Mile is limited to participants aged 15 and older. Dogs are not permitted on the course.
A kids’ dash, available for day-of registrations between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m., will cost $10 per child and is open to ages 2 to 8. Each child will receive a medal.
Event T-shirts can be purchased for $8 during registration, with a limited number available for sale on race day.