Raleigh, N.C. – A North Carolina man died over the weekend after running in a race where contestants also eat Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
The man died during the 12th annual Krispy Kreme Challenge, according to North Carolina State University officials. In a press release the university said the 58-year-old male stepped out of the race within the first mile and reported having chest pains. EMS transported him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The tragic death has left the university community stunned.
One local runner says the death was shocking to hear, "It's kind of a shock to me. I have done a lot of races and never heard of anything like that happening. So it's a little scary."
The Krispy Kreme Challenge is a student-led, charity-based run that supports the North Carolina children's hospital, according to race organizers.
Contestants are challenged to run five miles while eating 12 doughnuts in an hour.