
The GREAT Donut Challenge is a running race on September 5, 2026 in West Hartford, CT, with an entry fee of $30.
From the Organizer
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, 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 Th, 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".
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!
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
79°
Typical Low
60°
Chance of Rain
32%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Hartford Brainard Fld, 5 mi from the venue.
Host City
City Elevation
111 ft
Nearest Airport
BDL
Bradley International Airport · 12 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at The GREAT Donut Challenge, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
8
Days to train
Enter your email and we'll send more your way.
From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
From 5K to marathon, running races are an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
Fleet Feet Hartford Fall 2026 Training Programs
Less than a mile away
Zoomerangs! Kids Running Program
1 mile away
5th Annual Purple Light Project 5K
3 miles away
Eversource Hartford Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay & Charity 5K
3 miles away
Explore by category
The GREAT Donut Challenge
Sep 5, 2026