The GREAT Donut Challenge
- Date Sat 5th September 2026
- Time 8:00AM EDT
- Location West Hartford, Connecticut
- Price $32.80
- Races 1 race
- Distances 5km
Event summary
Get ready for a sweet adventure at The GREAT Donut Challenge happening on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in West Hartford, Capitol! This unique 5K event promises a delightful mix of running and indulging in donuts, all while supporting a noble cause—raising funds for Hero to Hero, a non-profit dedicated to helping veterans transition to civilian life. The challenge kicks off at 8 AM from Fleet Feet Hartford, where participants can check in starting at 7:30 AM to grab their bib and a T-shirt if they registered early.
This fun-filled 5K course will take you through the charming streets of West Hartford, with three donut stops along the way. At each stop, you’ll draw a card that instructs you to either "Eat," "Carry," or get a "Free" pass. Whether you’re munching on delicious donuts or carrying them to the finish line, this event is all about having a good time with friends and family. With prizes for the top finishers and gluten-free options available, there’s something for everyone! Don’t miss out on this exciting day that combines fitness, fun, and community spirit!
This fun-filled 5K course will take you through the charming streets of West Hartford, with three donut stops along the way. At each stop, you’ll draw a card that instructs you to either "Eat," "Carry," or get a "Free" pass. Whether you’re munching on delicious donuts or carrying them to the finish line, this event is all about having a good time with friends and family. With prizes for the top finishers and gluten-free options available, there’s something for everyone! Don’t miss out on this exciting day that combines fitness, fun, and community spirit!
Organiser's Description
Who doesn't love a donut...or three?
This unique 5K challenge combines running & donuts - two of our favorite things - to raise money for Hero to Hero [https://www.herotohero.org/], a wonderful non-profit based in CT that helps veterans transition to civilian life while continuing to use their military training as first responders. The founder of Hero to Hero, as well as veterans who have been beneficiaries of the program, will be volunteering at the event so you can meet these amazing people.
The challenge begins and ends at Fleet Feet Hartford on Sat, Sept. 5 at 8am. Walkers are welcome, as are children if they run with a parent or guardian. On race day, check-in between 7:30-8am to pick up your bib and a T-shirt (if you registered during early bird registration!).
$30 EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS TH, AUG. 27 AT 11:59PM. Also, the deadline to earn a free, sweet T-shirt with your registration!
$35 REGISTRATION ENDS SAT, SEPT. 5 AT 8AM or when we hit our cap of 250 registrants - whichever comes first.
DONUT CHALLENGE DETAILS
Run or walk a 5K course through the streets of West Hartford, checking in at three donut stops along the way. At each stop, participants will choose a card that will instruct them to either "Eat", "Carry" or "Free".
* If "Eat" is drawn, the participant must eat the donut before moving onto the next station.
* If "Carry" is drawn, the runner must carry their donut with them in their hands (no bags or carrying devices allowed) until the end. At the end of the course, they will have to eat whatever donuts that they had to carry before crossing the finish line. If the donut(s) are too crumbled to eat (or didn't survive the run) at the finish, participants will receive a 1-minute time penalty for each whole donut that didn't make it.
* If "Free" is drawn, the participant does not have to eat or carry a donut at that stop.
The Top 3 finishers (male & female) will win fabulous prizes courtesy of HOKA - and while there are prizes for the fastest donut-eating runners, this event is meant to be fun. Roads will NOT be closed so please obey all traffic laws and cross streets at crosswalks (even if it means waiting a few seconds for cars to pass). View the route here: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2890963999
GLUTEN-FREE?
No worries! Let us know, and we'll make sure to have gluten-free donuts on the course just for you!
This unique 5K challenge combines running & donuts - two of our favorite things - to raise money for Hero to Hero [https://www.herotohero.org/], a wonderful non-profit based in CT that helps veterans transition to civilian life while continuing to use their military training as first responders. The founder of Hero to Hero, as well as veterans who have been beneficiaries of the program, will be volunteering at the event so you can meet these amazing people.
The challenge begins and ends at Fleet Feet Hartford on Sat, Sept. 5 at 8am. Walkers are welcome, as are children if they run with a parent or guardian. On race day, check-in between 7:30-8am to pick up your bib and a T-shirt (if you registered during early bird registration!).
$30 EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS TH, AUG. 27 AT 11:59PM. Also, the deadline to earn a free, sweet T-shirt with your registration!
$35 REGISTRATION ENDS SAT, SEPT. 5 AT 8AM or when we hit our cap of 250 registrants - whichever comes first.
DONUT CHALLENGE DETAILS
Run or walk a 5K course through the streets of West Hartford, checking in at three donut stops along the way. At each stop, participants will choose a card that will instruct them to either "Eat", "Carry" or "Free".
* If "Eat" is drawn, the participant must eat the donut before moving onto the next station.
* If "Carry" is drawn, the runner must carry their donut with them in their hands (no bags or carrying devices allowed) until the end. At the end of the course, they will have to eat whatever donuts that they had to carry before crossing the finish line. If the donut(s) are too crumbled to eat (or didn't survive the run) at the finish, participants will receive a 1-minute time penalty for each whole donut that didn't make it.
* If "Free" is drawn, the participant does not have to eat or carry a donut at that stop.
The Top 3 finishers (male & female) will win fabulous prizes courtesy of HOKA - and while there are prizes for the fastest donut-eating runners, this event is meant to be fun. Roads will NOT be closed so please obey all traffic laws and cross streets at crosswalks (even if it means waiting a few seconds for cars to pass). View the route here: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2890963999
GLUTEN-FREE?
No worries! Let us know, and we'll make sure to have gluten-free donuts on the course just for you!
Races
-
The GREAT Donut Challenge
Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt or Tank
Sat 5th September 2026 (8:00AM EDT)
$32.80
CLOSED
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1003 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, 06107, CT, United States
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The GREAT Donut Challenge
