The Taco Bell Ultra Run debuts in Las Vegas on Saturday. No, this isn’t a serious competition sponsored by the fast food chain. It’s a grass-roots spectacle that invites runners of all skill levels to follow a path from Summerlin to Henderson while stopping to eat at seven Taco Bell locations along the way.
🤯 Wait, Is This For Real?
Yes, it’s happening. Feel free to register online (but you don’t have to). The idea was hatched and organized by Paige Liberski of Slow Runners Las Vegas, who was inspired by the original in Denver. (Another one happened in the DC area too.)
🤔 What Are the Rules?
Everyone is required to eat at least one Taco Bell food item at each stop. No repeats. The choices must include a Crunchwrap Supreme, Burrito Supreme, and Nachos Bell Grande before reaching the final Taco Bell near Cadence. The first person to finish receives a “Golden Taco” championship. Everything is done on a trust system, but save your receipts and take a few photos to qualify for the prize. A 15-minute penalty is added to your time for throwing up 🤮 (If you’re taking this seriously, read the full rules.)
🥳 Bonus Fun
Costumes are encouraged. You can also spice up the challenge by adding Diablo sauce to all your food (and chugging a packet as a shooter at the finish line) or drinking two liters of Baja Blast over the course of the day to wash down those calories.
🤨 But Really, This Is a Joke, Right?
At last check, about 50-60 people have registered for the Taco Bell Ultra Run. The route is designed to follow a slight downhill elevation for the most part, but is more than 30 miles, exceeding the 26.2 miles of a standard marathon. Even experienced runners are expecting to take much of the day — five to eight hours, maybe more — to do this.
🌮 Which Taco Bell Locations Are on the Route?
- Starting Line: Charleston & Town Center (beginning at 8 a.m.)
- Ft. Apache & Tropicana
- Jones & Badura
- Warm Springs & Las Vegas Blvd.
- Serene & Spencer
- Horizon Ridge & Arroyo Grande
- Finish Line: Lake Mead & Burkholder (open until 2 a.m.)
You’ll run anywhere between three and seven miles between each Taco Bell. Of course, not everyone will do the entire route. Know your limits, pace yourself, and even if you only make it to just a few of those Taco Bells, you’re a winner in my book 🏆 And don't forget to order the official t-shirt for this unofficial event.
