The Taco Bell DC 50K that passed through Alexandria for the first time in November is planning a comeback this fall.
About 500 people participated in last year’s Tex-Mex-fueled race, which is not sponsored by its titular fast food chain, but organized by local runners Phil Hargis and Mike Wardian. The 32.4-mile course takes runners and walkers to eight Taco Bell locations throughout Alexandria, Arlington, and D.C., where they are required to eat at least one menu item at every stop.
Free registration has opened for the run, which will kick off at 8 a.m. Nov. 27, starting and stopping at the Taco Bell Cantina in Old Town at 417 King Street. The race’s website asks prospective runners a couple questions, such as “Are you interested in trying out something really stupid?” and “Do you want to have the most fun you have ever had running really far?”
Participants must adhere to a couple of guidelines. For instance, they must provide proof of menu purchases in wrapper form, and they cannot take Pepto-Bismol, Alka Seltzer, Pepcid AC or Mylanta on the course.
Also, “Vomiting is allowed, but discouraged.”
Participants are required to finish the race and all food requirements within 11 hours. Last year’s winner, Mike Smith, finished with a time of four hours, 12 minutes and 35 seconds. The final participant crossed the finish line just a second shy of 11 hours.
Friends Hargis and Wardian founded the D.C.-area version of the race. The pair modeled it after a similar run held last year in Denver.
“The idea for this event was inspired by the original Taco Bell 50k Denver event,” according to the race’s website. “It sounded like so much fun, we wanted to bring it to DC. So we cloned it and thank those event creators and give them full credit of course.”
Runners will stop by the following Taco Bell locations.
- 417 King Street— Alexandria
- 231 S. Van Dorn Street — Alexandria
- 4923 Lee Highway — Arlington
- 2039 Wilson Blvd — Arlington
- 3100 14th Street NW — Washington, D.C.
- 1412 U Street NW — Washington, D.C.
- 808 7th Street NW — Washington, D.C.
- 50 Massachusetts Ave NE — Washington, D.C.
Photo via Google Maps.
