Sign Up Now for the Charleston Doughnut Run

If you bring doughnuts they will come.

That's one of the ideas behind the Charleston Doughnut Run, a 5k run/walk along the West Ashley Greenway from St. Andrews Math and Science Elementary School to Krispy Kreme and back to the school. The other idea is to raise money for creative writing and arts programs in local public schools through SidewalkChalk.org.

Now in it's third year, organizers of the Doughnut Run are hoping for another great turnout. The run is scheduled to take place 9 a.m. Saturday, April 14.

"We had close to 400 people run last year," SidewalkChalk.org Executive Director Jon Caspian said. "This year we're hoping for 500-600."

Starting this week people will be able to sign up for the race for $20 per person during the three-week early registration period through Active.com. The run has its own website at CharlestonDoughnutRun.com.

Runners can compete in the 5k as individual or as teams, but anyone running by him or herself will have to scarf down a dozen doughnuts on his or her own to have a shot at winning. Teams have the benefit of getting to split the dozen when they reach the halfway point at Krispy Kreme.

"The Greenway is why it works so good for us," Krispy Kreme Market manager Ken Dykes said.

Runners begin at St. Andrews Elementary, make the pit stop at Krispy Kreme and head back to the school.

"We have some people that take it very seriously," Caspian said. "We have other people that have a lot of fun with it."

Some people even run in costumes, dressed as stereotypical tourists, or in other get-ups, Caspian said.

"The first year we had a guy who loved Krispy Kreme fly down from Maryland and run wearing a Krispy Kreme hat and shirt," Caspian said. "That was my favorite."