Jeff “FaFa” Woods has been identified as the man who died on Saturday after attempting the annual Krispy Kreme Challenge, a five-mile race in which contestants must eat a dozen donuts midway through.
Friends told WRAL News in North Carolina that Woods, 58, complained of chest pains towards the start of Saturday’s race in Raleigh and dropped out before he could complete the first mile.
He was transported to a nearby hospital and was soon pronounced dead.
Woods was a “kind and fun” man who didn’t run regularly, but opted to participate in the twelfth annual Krispy Kreme Challenge since it goes to charity “and seemed like fun,” friends told WRAL.
The race is put on each year by students at North Carolina State University, and proceeds benefit a local children’s hospital. More than 8,000 runners participated in last year’s installment.
Organizers say the competition “epitomizes the test of physical fitness and gastrointestinal fortitude” — contestants must run 2.5 miles to a Krispy Kreme location and eat a dozen donuts — roughly 2,400 calories — before racing another 2.5 miles to the finish line.
“On behalf of the N.C. State community, our deepest sympathies go out to the runner’s family members and loved ones,” university spokesman Brad Bohlander said in a statement.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.
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