About Donut Dash

Donut Dash – 4 miles & 4 Donuts benefiting the Child Life Program at Sutter Children’s Center, Sacramento

How it all got started….

One evening while watching SportsCenter on ESPN in February 2009, Zack Wandell, a volunteer since September 2004 in the Child Life Program at Sutter, saw a story about a Krispy Kreme Challenge that started in 2004 amongst a group of friends on the campus of North Carolina State University. The concept was simple, run 2 miles, eat a dozen Krispy Kreme Donuts, run 2 miles back. All of the proceeds were donated to the local Chidlren’s Hospital. When Zack heard that, something clicked in his head and he thought “We can do that here!” and the Donut Dash was created. He put the word out to friends to find out how many people would be willing to participate with the promise that if he could generate enough interest to be able to donate $1000, he’d put it all together.

The first step, a donut shop. Many people that grew up in Sacramento know the BEST donuts around are found at Marie’s Donuts on Freeport Blvd. The race would have to involve Marie’s so the course is naturally set in beautiful William Land Park. Rather than eating a dozen donuts, he picked 4 and thus, 4 miles & 4 donuts became the new standard for the Donut Dash. For the more health conscious folks, a “lite” division was created so that they could eat 6 donut holes, and still enjoy all the fun.

Donut Dash is a 501(c)3, tax ID 27-1671648. Those involved with the Donut Dash are volunteers, there are no paid staff or consultants thus maximizing proceeds. Donated amounts are less than raised amounts due to event expenses.

Past Results

In 2009, at the original Donut Dash, there were 25 runners that were able to raise and donate over $1500. The first overall winner was Andy Dahl, finishing in 30:16. The first women’s winner was Tracy Auble, Andy’s sister and a Child Life Specialist at Sutter.

In 2010, at Donut Dash 2.0, there were approx 110 participants that raised over $4500 with $3000 donated. The overall winner, Chikara Omine, drove all the way from San Francisco and completed the 4 mile & 4 donut challenge in 23:09. The women’s winner was Erika Woolson, she completed the challenge in 35:06.

In 2011, at Donut Dash III, there were approx 525 participants that raised just shy of $20,000!!! $15,000 was donated including 5 iPad2′s. The overall, and first repeat winner, was Chikara Omine. As a result of some confusion about needing to eat all 4 donuts before returning to the course, Donut Dash III did not have an official women’s winner.

In 2012, at Donut Dash 4-4-4-4, there were approx 1400 participants that raised over $47,000 with $35,000 donated.

Child Life Program & Services

Proceeds from the race are donated to the Child Life Program at Sutter Children’s Center, Sacramento. The Child Life Program strives to empower children and families to cope, understand, and heal as they encounter illness and hospitalization. Opportunities are offered to create meaningful experiences through play, education, preparation, and emotional support. Donut Dash funds are used for programs and activities designed to help children and families cope with their medical experiences. These programs and activities include educating children about their illnesses, preparing them for procedures and surgeries, offering normal childhood play experiences (toys, games, arts & crafts, movies, etc), celebrating holidays and special events, etc.

For more info, please see Sutter Children’s Center or visit the Sutter Children’s Center Facebook page.