The organizing committee of the 2011 Krispy Kreme Challenge (www.krispykremechallenge.com), announces today silver level sponsors for the seventh annual event. Held in downtown Raleigh on February 5, 2011, the event benefits the North Carolina Children’s Hospital.

“The Krispy Kreme Challenge is a fun way to raise money for a good cause,” says Cindy Stranad, APR, Articulon principal and founder. “We are proud to sponsor the event and to support the North Carolina Children’s Hospital.”

Silver sponsors include:
” Articulon (www.articulon.com) – a brand communication and public relations firm

” Red Hat (www.redhat.com) – the leader in enterprise Linux and most recognized open source brand in the world

” The Athlete’s Foot Cameron Village (www.theathletesfootrdu.com) – a franchise athletic shoe store under local ownership in Raleigh.

With the support of its sponsors, the Krispy Kreme Challenge has grown from 10 participants in 2004 to an expected 7,500 participants this February. Registration has already exceeded 7,000.

“We are thankful for the community’s continued support of our event,” says Rebekah Jewell, North Carolina State University Park Scholar and public relations co-chair for the Krispy Kreme Challenge. “Without the contributions of our sponsors, our event would not be able to continue to grow as it has over the last seven years.”

To complete the Krispy Kreme Challenge, competitors begin at the N.C. State Bell Tower, run two miles to the Krispy Kreme store on Peace Street, eat a dozen glazed doughnuts, and then run two miles back to the Bell Tower—all in under one hour. The event is also open to casual runners, who are not required to eat the doughnuts, and to supporters who want to make a donation. Registration is available online at https://krispykremechallenge.worldsecuresystems.com/2011_registration.