Feet pounding the pavement, lungs working on overdrive, sweat falling to the ground in rivlets. The crowd cheers as a lone man with a mysterious name crosses the finish line at the head of the pack and runs off into the distance.
A legend is born. The mystery runner is written down in the pages of Raleigh history, forever embedded in the minds and hearts of Krispy Kreme racers and onlookers alike.
Every year, thousands of participants compete in NC State’s annual race, the Krispy Kreme Challenge. Those competing must run 2.5 miles to Krispy Kreme, eat a dozen donuts and run back to the starting line, racing five miles total — and all within an hour.
In 2009, one NC State student under the name Stephen Prefontine competed in the Krispy Kreme Challenge and came in first place. But instead of staying to recieve his medal and enjoy his victory, Prefontine raced through the finish line and continued to run … away from the race, the awards and the spectators. Interestingly enough, this first-place, mystery runner never returned to receive his award.
As it turns out, the story behind the mystery runner is this:
NC State alumnus and former track runner Eric Mack decided to race in the Krispy Kreme Challenge — but against his coach’s orders. So Mack signed up under the false name of “Stephen Prefontine” to run in the race.
“The reason for the fake name,” Mack said, “was because at the time I was part of the track team, and since I was injured, I was off of racing. The race was kind of my way of proving to myself that I could still do what I loved.”
Although Mack’s coach was opposed to the race, Mack said that his coach ended up laughing about the whole thing.
“Yeah, he wasn’t really mad at me for running, just that I ate so many calories and sugar,” Mack said.
Despite Mack not being able to enjoy his award, he said he had a great experience and that he will “definitely do it again one day.”
“I think the best part was the two and a half miles to the Krispy Kreme,” Mack said. “That togetherness has always been my favorite part, just having others around me to run with.”
Similar to Mack’s legacy, the Krispy Kreme Challenge continues to run on and inspires more people like Mack each year to push their endurance — and their stomachs.
This race challenges runners and non-runners alike to run for tradition as well as to run for a cause. The Krispy Kreme Challenge encourages teamwork and togetherness for a good cause, as the proceeds are donated to the North Carolina Children’s Hospital, according to Rebekah Millsaps, a junior studying business administration and accounting and the executive director of marketing for the Krispy Kreme Challenge.
“It’s so hard to pick what I’m most excited for because the whole day is just a really great time,” Millsaps said. “I think I’m most looking forward to our donation, hearing our patient family speak and just to see all of our runners come out and be super excited for the race. It’s really an amazing experience to see so many people come together to support such an outstanding cause.”
Millsaps said her team does not set a fundraising goal, but it hopes to have a great turnout of excited participants who are passionate about making a difference “in the lives of the patients and families of UNC Children’s.”
The 12th annual Krispy Kreme Challenge will take place Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Bell Tower.
