10 "Eat and Run" Races
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Where: Southwest of France
The Marathon du Medoc, also called the longest marathon in the world due to the large number of pit stops, takes place in September in the Bordeaux region. There’s always a dress-up theme and runners get to taste some of the world’s best wines as well as oysters, steak and ice cream.
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Where: Raleigh, North Carolina
Held in February, the Kripsy Kreme Challenge is much easier to run than a marathon -- it’s only five miles – but it may not burn off the 2,400 calories from 12 doughnuts. Or, as the race organizers put it: “The mantra of the Kripsy Kreme Challenge epitomizes the test of physical fitness and gastrointestinal fortitude.”
Krispy Kreme Run
Where: New York City
Participants in this September eating and running challenge are supposed to complete a two-mile run, while stopping to eat three slices of pizza at checkpoints throughout the course. “Pizza and running are my two loves besides my family,” Ed Sylvia, the New York City chef who organizes the annual event, told The Wall Street Journal a few years ago.
Pizza Run
Where: Champagne Region of France
In this 18 km race (about 11 miles), the drink of choice is ... you guessed it, champagne. Think of La Champenoise as a toned down Marathon du Medoc. You can choose to either run the timed race or to run la course festive, which allows you to taste champagnes offered by local producers.
LA CHAMPENOISE/Picasa
Where: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
This isn’t your regular biathlon. As the organizers describe it, “a biathlon is defined as any sporting event made up of two disciplines. Running and eating Mexican food are two disciplines, so why not combine them?” In this event, participants must first run two miles, then down a burrito and head back to the course for a one-mile dash to the finish line.
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Where: Durham, North Carolina
After seven years, the Doughman took a break in 2014, and runners’ stomachs might be thankful for that. This race has four legs: The first one is the omnivorous one with a swim, then a pig in a blanket with potatoes and cheddar cheese. In the second one, you’ll bike and eat a mac-n-cheese “cupcake.” The third one consists of a long run as well as kale and mushroom tamales, while in the last leg, you’ll compete in a short run and eat bratwurst with gorgonzola cheese, kraut and jalapenos. Good news: It’s a 4-person team race and it’s due to return in 2015.
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Where: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Talk about a sugar rush. Although Twinkie eating in this April Fool’s Day 5 km run is technically optional, most runners eat a Twinkie at the start, run half the course and then stop to eat a second one before running the last leg. There are also homemade grilled Twinkies at the finish line. Yum!
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Where: New York City
The New York City Hot Dog Challenge is still a very small race with only a dozen participants who must run a course of three to five miles (it varies each year). What makes it interesting: Every time contestants come across random hotdog stands, they must eat one hotdog before moving forward. Contestants eat roughly 10 hotdogs each during the event.
Beyond Defeat
Where: Tulsa, Oklahoma
In this 5K race, which is part of the annual Tulsa State Fair, contestants have to finish a corndog, a lemonade and a cotton candy serving during the course.
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Where: 15 U.S. Cities
The Hot Chocolate Run has become such as institution that it now takes place in 15 U.S. cities. The popularity of this race may lie in the fact that it seems the most civilized in terms of not overdoing the mix of food and running. Contestants choose to run either a 5K or a 15K and are rewarded with a hot chocolate mug at the post-race party.
Hot Chocolate Run