Home / Sports / 50K Taco Run: Eat, Run, Repeat in DC
50K Taco Run: Eat, Run, Repeat in DC
2 Dec
Summary
- Runners navigated 50km to nine Taco Bells, eating menu items.
- Specific food items like Chalupa Supreme were required at stops.
- Near 1,000 participants braved below-freezing temperatures for the event.
The first-ever Taco Bell DC 50k ultramarathon kicked off on Saturday morning, challenging nearly 1,000 participants with a unique blend of endurance running and fast food consumption. Competitors navigated 50 kilometers across Alexandria, Arlington, and Washington D.C., stopping at nine different Taco Bell locations. At each stop, runners were required to purchase and eat menu items, with specific foods like the Chalupa Supreme or Burrito Supreme mandated at certain points.
Organizers Phil Hargis and Mike Wardian noted the event's immense popularity, far exceeding their initial expectations. The race rules, designed to be quirky yet demanding, allowed for vomiting but banned medicinal stomach aids. Participants had an 11-hour window to complete the course, needing receipts to verify their culinary journey. This event mirrored a successful race held annually in Denver.
Despite the below-freezing temperatures at the start, participants embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. The ultramarathon attracted a diverse crowd, from seasoned marathoners to those seeking a memorable, unconventional experience. The first finisher, Mike Smith, completed the 50 kilometers in an impressive four hours, 12 minutes, and 35 seconds, showcasing the varied motivations and capabilities of those who participated in this distinctive fast-food endurance test.
