New San Francisco 1K race features doughnut stations as motivation for runners

Participants walk the course in t-shirts or costumes, in Seattle's "Lard Butt 1K." The creators are now bringing the race to San Francisco. Participants walk the course in t-shirts or costumes, in Seattle's "Lard Butt 1K." The creators are now bringing the race to San Francisco. Photo: Courtesy Lard Butt Photo: Courtesy Lard Butt Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close New San Francisco 1K race features doughnut stations as motivation for runners 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

If you don't quite have the drive (yet) for a marathon, or even a 5K race, a new "race" is looking to tempt Bay Area couch potatoes/wannabe athletes to participate in a low-key event made for anyone.

Enter: the Lard Butt 1K.

Created by a group of friends who were bemoaning the lack of exercise one gets post-graduation, a joke "Lard Butt" t-shirt led to a small side business as an apparel line and eventually the ultimate in athleticism (for the unathletic) — a 1K, or 0.62 mile race.

"This is a race for the rest of us," said Lard Butt co-founder Mark Peterson. "There are so many races, historically, that have been focused on running, competing and winning. This is a unique event in that there is absolutely nothing at stake, we don't time it: there's no first place or last place."

Turning the typical marathon tropes on its head, the 1K fits some of the hallmarks of a traditional race, but tweaked to a much different audience.

Beyond the obviously shortened course, the race will feature doughnut stations placed along the route, rather than water stations. Runners are encouraged to show up in costume and there will also be a beer garden at the end of the course.

There will also be four waves of participants for the race, including a "show-off wave" for those who want to run (to which these runners will be met with good-natured boos and admonishments to "slow down," according to Peterson) as well as a "Legends Wave" for those who weigh 250 pounds and more.

"It's a very supportive experience," Peterson said. "All kidding aside, there are a lot of people who want to become a little more active, but the thought of doing a 5K or 10K run is pretty intimidating. This is a way to ease into doing something a bit more active."

"We welcome people of all shapes sizes and backgrounds," he later added. "We're all inclusive and this is not intended to make fun of anyone other than ourselves."

The race is making its debut in San Francisco at Lake Merced Park on Nov. 4, after two successful turns in Seattle. The 1K also doubles as a canned food drive, with the last race generating over two tons of goods for a Seattle-area food bank. Participants in the San Francisco race are asked to bring at least two canned goods to benefit the SF-Marin Food Bank.

Advanced registration is $30, increasing to $40 the week (and day of) the race and participants can sign up at www.lardbutt.com.