The GREAT Donut Challenge logo

The GREAT Donut Challenge

The GREAT Donut Challenge is a running race on September 5, 2026 in West Hartford, CT, with an entry fee of $30.

Date
September 5, 2026 (8 days to go)
Price
$30
Sport
Running
Register →

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".

  • If "Eat" is drawn, the participant must eat the donut before moving onto the next station.
  • If "Carry" is drawn, the runner must carry their donut with them in their hands (no bags or carrying devices allowed) until the end. At the end of the course, they will have to eat whatever donuts that they had to carry before crossing the finish line. If the donut(s) are too crumbled to eat (or didn't survive the run) at the finish, participants will receive a 1-minute time penalty for each whole donut that didn't make it. 
  • If "Free" is drawn, the participant does not have to eat or carry a donut at that stop. 

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!

Events

The GREAT Donut Challenge$30

Weather

Typical Conditions

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.

Sunrise 6:21 AMSunset 7:17 PMDaylight 12h 56m

Host City

About West Hartford, CT

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

What Are You
Waiting For?

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

Race
The GREAT Donut Challenge
Date
September 5, 2026

Want more races like this?

Enter your email and we'll send more your way.

From Endurance Grid

About This Sport

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.

Read the Guide

Running

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The GREAT Donut Challenge?
The GREAT Donut Challenge is a running race held in West Hartford, Connecticut on September 5, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
When and where is The GREAT Donut Challenge?
Saturday, September 5, 2026 in West Hartford, Connecticut at 1003 Farmington Avenue. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
How do I register for The GREAT Donut Challenge?
Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.

The GREAT Donut Challenge

Sep 5, 2026

Register →