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Is the Taco Bell ultra marathon the toughest event in sports and why is the answer a resounding yes?
Fox News ^ | October 1, 2026 | Matt Reigle

Posted on 10/02/2026 7:13:57 AM PDT by Twotone

There may be longer races, and there may be more prestigious races, but none require the intestinal fortitude — in the most literal sense — needed to complete the International Taco Bell 50k.

The 9th annual edition of the ultra marathon in Denver gets underway this weekend, and it will see runners traversing just over 30 miles, while making pit stops at a minimum of nine of the ten Taco Bell locations along the route where they must order a menu item and finish it.

And better yet, it's not sanctioned by the company. They're just out there for the love of the game.

Of course, my first thought was that there has to be a way to go easy on the food, but the rules require competitors to eat some serious heavy hitters.

Drinks do not count as food, and all competitors have to eat a Chalupa Supreme or Crunchwrap Supreme by the fourth stop. By the eighth stop, they have to have polished off a Burrito Supreme or Nachos Bell Grande, but other than that, it's fair game.

Just finish in 11 hours without puking or using any on-course Pepto, Alka-Seltzer, Pepcid A/C, Mylanta, and congratulations, you've completed a race with a higher DNF rate than the 100-mile Leadville 100 Trail Race.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: colorado; marathon; running; tacobell

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1 posted on 10/02/2026 7:13:57 AM PDT by Twotone
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To: Twotone
Several years ago my best friend, a running enthusiast and veteran of a few marathons, ran the Krispy Kreme Challenge. It starts at the bell tower at North Carolina State University. Participants run to the Krispy Kreme two and a half miles away, consume an entire dozen original glazed donuts, then run back to the bell tower.

Many do not make it back without hurling at least once.

I just forwarded my friend this story, told him that this is an even better event than the Krispy Kreme Challenge. I'll let you know what he thinks :-P

2 posted on 10/02/2026 7:31:30 AM PDT by Ciaphas Cain
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To: Twotone

The poor saps foolish enough to participate will be having marathons all right, to the bathroom that is.


3 posted on 10/02/2026 7:32:23 AM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: Twotone

Otherwise known as: “When you gotta go, you gotta go” race


4 posted on 10/02/2026 7:35:02 AM PDT by Zathras
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To: Twotone

Taco Bell is all about getting the day off to a good shart.


5 posted on 10/02/2026 7:35:48 AM PDT by Kriggerel ("All great truths are hard and bitter, but lies... are sweeter than wild honey" (Ragnar Redbeard))
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To: No name given
The poor saps foolish enough to participate will be having marathons all right, to the bathroom that is.



They'd better know how to use the 3 Seashells.


6 posted on 10/02/2026 7:40:26 AM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: Twotone

Signs of a stupid society...imho


7 posted on 10/02/2026 7:45:58 AM PDT by goodnesswins (Most Congress Critters should be referred to as what they are....LOOTERS)
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To: Twotone
Because the Mexican Phone company (Taco Bell) hired this woman to compete against.


8 posted on 10/02/2026 8:06:25 AM PDT by DannyTN
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To: All

The experienced runners wear brown running shorts. Not white.


9 posted on 10/02/2026 8:06:52 AM PDT by FLNittany
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To: Kriggerel; Zathras

I knew this would be a fun thread.


10 posted on 10/02/2026 8:12:06 AM PDT by rdl6989
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To: goodnesswins

I take it as a humorous way to advertise. Silly, yes. But a little fun, too.


11 posted on 10/02/2026 8:12:51 AM PDT by Twotone (Sometimes I wrestle with my demons. Sometimes we just snuggle.)
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To: FLNittany

No it is not the toughest race. The Barkley marathon is the toughest race.


12 posted on 10/02/2026 8:13:07 AM PDT by calljack (Stealing the 2020 Election will go down in history as the worst political miscalculation of all time)
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To: Ciaphas Cain
Many do not make it back without hurling at least once.

I could do that easily without the running part. I hope the donuts are fresh cooked, at least.
13 posted on 10/02/2026 8:24:41 AM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." (John 2:5))
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To: Twotone
you've completed a race with a higher DNF rate than the 100-mile Leadville 100 Trail Race.

I suspect the Leadville 100 has a higher completion rate because of self-selection. Heck, if I were in Denver, I might even enter just to get some free Taco Bell. Are Mexi-Melts still on the menu? Empanadas?
14 posted on 10/02/2026 8:27:40 AM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." (John 2:5))
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To: Twotone

Per the article, this is not sanctioned by Taco Bell. It’s wise to stay away from this sort of thing after the infamous Sacramento “Hold your Wee for a Wii @
Contest that resulted in a fatality and a big fat judgment
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jennifer-stranges-family-awarded-165-million-in-wee-for-wii-contest-death/


15 posted on 10/02/2026 8:27:41 AM PDT by j.havenfarm (25 years on Free Republic, 12/10/25! More than 12,750 replies and still not shutting up!)
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To: Twotone

Gives a whole new meaning to “running”!


16 posted on 10/02/2026 8:50:42 AM PDT by kaktuskid
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To: Twotone

I’d have to say, yes. I have participated in the Taco Bella-Thon…
In 2005.
It was by far ONE of the most painful
BARFALYMPICS both my mate and I have ever encountered.
We both consumed beef gorditas.

Within hours we became violently ill and felt like we were being run through the stomach by swords.

I received a participation medals of both an allergy and medical bracelet courtesy of the local ER, a shot of painkiller, bag of fluids and promethazine.
Mate had to continue run his truck route and eventually came home to join me in antibiotics and bouts of nausea.

We’ve not repeated the TacoBellaThonaBarfalympics again.

Should all be shut down and boarded up.


17 posted on 10/02/2026 9:49:48 AM PDT by Patriot777 ("When you see these things begin to happen, look up, for your redemption draweth nigh.")
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To: dfwgator

“ They’d better know how to use the 3 Seashells.”

I thought that was a great movie.


18 posted on 10/02/2026 9:53:03 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Quiet! Quiet Piggy!)
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To: EQAndyBuzz

It was a great movie, especially the classic Dennis Leary rant.


19 posted on 10/02/2026 9:55:01 AM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: FLNittany

Event co-sponsored by Depends?


20 posted on 10/02/2026 10:05:21 AM PDT by Fireone (1. Avoid crowds 2.Head on a swivel 3.Be prepared to protect & defend those around you 4.Avoid crowds)
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