Run, Eat, Repeat
That was the mantra for hundreds of participants in the Taco Bell-themed ultramarathon held on Saturday in the Washington area. Runners gathered in Alexandria to embark on a 50-kilometer journey that included stops at nine Taco Bell locations, where they were required to consume at least one menu item at each stop.
The race covered approximately 31 miles with specific guidelines: participants had to visit each Taco Bell in order, drinks did not count as menu items, and no medicinal aids like Pepto Bismol or Alka Seltzer were permitted.
“Vomiting is allowed but discouraged,” read the event’s website. Although the race was not officially endorsed by Taco Bell or its parent company, Yum! Brands, many runners speculated that it might have been too unconventional for a brand partnership.
For many observers — including Taco Bell executives — it may seem puzzling why anyone would take on such a challenge. Running 31 miles is already an impressive feat, and adding the task of eating nine Taco Bell items within 11 hours makes it even more daunting.
The event was inspired by a similar ultramarathon that has been taking place in Denver for eight years. After seeing posts about it on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, organizers Michael Wardian and Phil Hargis decided to bring this quirky challenge to their area.
Tommy Strei, who donned a purple robe featuring the restaurant’s logo at the start line, expressed his love for Taco Bell. He noted that he wanted to shift his mindset regarding running; this event was about fun rather than performance.
Many participants had never run a marathon before but felt motivated by this unique opportunity. Mike Young, a first-time racer who had previously only run seven miles at most, saw this as a chance to push himself beyond his limits.
Each runner had their own strategy for tackling both the distance and food consumption. Some focused on easily accessible items like Cinnamon Delights while others prepared meals ahead of time in Ziploc bags.
The atmosphere was lively as runners dressed up in costumes ranging from chalupas to superheroes while waiting for their turn at the first Taco Bell stop. Despite chilly temperatures and early hours, smiles were abundant among participants who shared camaraderie throughout the race.
This event diverged from traditional marathons with its lack of cheering crowds or medical support along the route. Instead, it encouraged runners to embrace discomfort as part of their experience.
Approximately 500 runners checked in for the challenge, with most completing it successfully. Organizers celebrated their achievement by awarding playful prizes based on spice levels: “Fire!” for first place and “hot” for second place finishers.
