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Donut Dash a smash for Nevada High School XC
This summer, the Nevada High School cross country team is training like no other.
Unless, of course, Homer Simpson ever gets into long-distance running.
On Wednesday evening at Larry Testman Track, NHS XC head coach Ryan Watts hosted the inaugural Donut Dash, a unique event in which runners had to complete four laps (one mile), but not before scarfing down a doughnut at the start of each one. The first three laps were glazed; the last one was either a long john, fritter, or — in the case of winner Anthony Pizano, an incoming freshman — a glazed chocolate.
“The first doughnut was really dry, but water helped. Just had to keep going,” said Pizano, who, despite feeling like he might get sick after crossing the finish line, celebrated by eating a victory fritter. “And I’m starting to regret it.”
About a dozen runners participated in the event, with some members of the NHS cross country team (a.k.a. the Brickhouse Running Club) abstaining, while medical personnel was on-scene in case of an emergency. Several parents and fellow students even watched from the stands.
Watts and his organizers set up a table with more than 50 doughnuts and countless bottles of water, and the top-three finishers were awarded doughnut-shaped “medals.” The lucky winners behind Pizano included sophomore Lane Jones, who finished second, and community member Paul Russell, who took third.
According to Watts, he hoped to make the event a new annual tradition — if only to teach his athletes the danger of eating too many sweets.
“I know I don’t ever want to look at another doughnut again,” said Watts, who not only participated along with his team but wore a doughnut-decorated shirt and cap. “I think it went well enough, so hopefully we’ll be able to do it again next year.”
