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
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Get ready for a deliciously fun time at The GREAT Donut Challenge on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in West Hartford, Connecticut! This unique 5K event combines the joy of running with the delightful challenge of donuts, all while supporting the incredible non-profit Hero to Hero, which assists veterans in their transition to civilian life. The race kicks off at 8 AM from Fleet Feet Hartford, where participants will check in between 7:30 and 8 AM to grab their bibs and, if registered early, a special event T-shirt.
Participants will navigate a vibrant 5K course through the streets of West Hartford, with three exciting donut stops along the way. At each stop, you'll draw a card that will dictate whether you eat, carry, or get a free pass with your donut! Whether you’re a competitive runner or just in it for the fun, this event welcomes everyone, including walkers and children who can run alongside a parent or guardian. Plus, there are fabulous prizes for the top finishers, adding to the spirited competition. Don’t miss out—early bird registration is just $30 until August 27, so grab your friends and join us for a day of fitness, fun, and fantastic donuts
Participants will navigate a vibrant 5K course through the streets of West Hartford, with three exciting donut stops along the way. At each stop, you'll draw a card that will dictate whether you eat, carry, or get a free pass with your donut! Whether you’re a competitive runner or just in it for the fun, this event welcomes everyone, including walkers and children who can run alongside a parent or guardian. Plus, there are fabulous prizes for the top finishers, adding to the spirited competition. Don’t miss out—early bird registration is just $30 until August 27, so grab your friends and join us for a day of fitness, fun, and fantastic donuts
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 WED, 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 WED, 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
Reviews
Done this event?
First-hand event reviews from people who have been there, done that and got the breathable T-shirt, really help everyone choose their next event.
Add a reviewLocation
1003 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, 06107, CT, United States
Who's In
See who else is doing this event
Be the first
No-one has marked this event as 'Doing' or 'Maybe' yet. Will you be the first?
The GREAT Donut Challenge
