Tour de Donut facts for kids

The Tour de Donut is a super fun bicycle event that happens every year! It's held in places like Staunton, Illinois, and Troy, Ohio. What makes it special? Riders get their race time cut down by five minutes for every yummy doughnut they eat! They grab these treats at special stops along the way.

History of the Donut Race

The Tour de Donut started in 1989. A group of bike riders in Southwestern Illinois came up with the idea. They wanted to create a funny race that made fun of the famous Tour de France. Members of a group called the Mid-America Bicycle Club were talking about new ride ideas. That's how the Tour de Donut was born! The Mid-America Bicycle Club stopped running in 1998. After that, the Boeing Employees Bicycle Club in St. Louis took over. The Staunton Chamber of Commerce also helps to sponsor the event.

Tour de Donut Locations

Staunton, Illinois Race

The very first Tour de Donut race happened in 1989. About 25 riders took part in it. The race originally started and ended in Bethalto, Illinois. A woman actually won the first race! Over the years, the race has grown a lot. The route has changed, and there are more race options. More and more people join in too. From 2011 to 2020, between 800 and 1,600 cyclists raced each year. There's even a shorter "Donut Hole" route now. This route is perfect for younger or newer riders.

Riders can win awards for their race times. They also get prizes for eating the most donuts! There are also special prizes just for showing up.

Troy, Ohio Race

In September 2007, a Tour de Donut started in Greenville, Ohio. Over 100 people joined this first event. In 2008, the race moved to Brumbaughs Fruit Farm. The donuts were even made right there for the event! That year, 279 people raced. By 2009, over 500 people joined. In 2010, 603 people finished the race.

The event kept growing! In 2011, 920 people raced. In 2012, 1,354 people joined. The race moved to Downtown Arcanum in 2012. Donuts were provided by Ulbrichs in Piqua, Ohio. In 2013, over 1,600 people took part. For the first time, there was a free kids' race too. 70 kids raced in Downtown Arcanum. In 2014, 1,976 people joined the race. They could choose from 16, 32, or a new 64-mile course. 100 kids also joined the free kids' races. In 2015 and 2016, the event reached its limit of 2,000 participants.

In 2017, the Tour de Donut Ohio moved to the City of Troy, Ohio. It attracted 2,400 participants! The event keeps getting bigger every year. It's held with the Rock the Bike music festival. This brings thousands of people for live music, shows, food, and drinks. The Extremity Sports club helps to promote the event. This annual race has become the biggest one-day bike ride in Ohio. It attracts all kinds of cyclists and people looking for fun. It happens on the first Saturday after Labor Day. The 12th Tour de Donut is planned for Saturday, August 24, in Troy, Ohio.

Greenville, Michigan Race

Since 2009, this event has been held at the Klackle Orchards Family Fun Farm. It's located west of Greenville, Michigan. This race is 30 miles long. Here, three minutes are taken off your time for each donut you eat. (This is different from the usual five minutes!) In 2010, 321 people finished the race. This event has not taken place since 2015. It was canceled in recent years because not enough people signed up.

American Fork, Utah Race

The Rotary Club of American Fork has hosted this event since 2008. It takes place in American Fork, Utah. This race is 21 miles long. Like the Michigan race, three minutes are taken off your time for each donut you eat. In 2010, 245 people finished this race.

Katy, Texas Race

In July 2004, Katy, Texas, also started its own annual Tour de Donut. It's known as the "Sweetest Bike Ride in Texas"! This race is 28 miles long. All the money raised from this event goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Texas Gulf Coast. This foundation helps make wishes come true for children with serious illnesses. In 2010, 209 people finished the race.

San Luis Obispo, California Race

This is an annual event that began in 2011. It's a 20-mile ride that isn't timed. Riders visit three donut shops along the way. There's also a 2-mile timed section with a big hill. Riders have 10 minutes at each donut shop to eat donuts. For every donut eaten, 15 seconds are taken off their time!

Documentary Film: Gluttons for Punishment

A documentary film was made about the Tour de Donut. It's called "Tour de Donut: Gluttons for Punishment." Steve Kelly and Jim Klenn created the film. It follows two top cyclists as they try to help their friend win the race. The film also shares a short history of the race.

Seattle, Washington Race

This is an annual 16.3-mile bike ride through the city of Seattle. Mighty-O Donuts started this yearly bike tour in 2017. It's fueled by donuts and coffee! This event happens during Bike to Work Month. Mighty-O Donuts also works with Bike Works. This group helps young people and builds strong communities using bicycles. Mighty-O also partners with Bicycle Benefits. This is a national program that supports cycling and local businesses.