The 4XDonut is the competition which marks the beginning of the Triple Crown.

Indoor track at Swarthmore is a grueling experience. One can easily become fatigued from the tedious laps on a 217 meter three lane track with tight turns and the distance team of 1991 was not immune. But what to do? What possible solution could there be to the same old tired routine here in Swarthmore, PA? A runner cannot actually stop running to relieve burn out; this is ludicrous. No, the obvious solution was the same that is sought by the clinically bored everywhere: Donuts. The Dunkin Donuts on McDade Blvd. was the clear solution to any languor which had developed over the indoor season. Little did they realize that history was being made that day as they stuffed deep fried dough and sugar down their throats at medically dangerous rates, and then proceeding to race each other back to the field house. No one died on that birth of the famed Donut race, although many thought it quite conceivable (and perhaps if someone had the insanity would not continue to this day).

The race was then taken to the track (and closer to immediate medical attention) and officially titled the 4XDONUT. From a simple donut stop on a distance run the 4XDonut was born and has eliminated the strong from the queazy to this day.

The following year it was a cold February day in 1991 when a select few of the iron stomached Swarthmore athletes walked onto Skallerup track. Their breaths hung in the air as they stepped up to the line. Due to its instant popularity ten 4XDonut competitions were held that first year. The second year the a few of the weaker competitors suggested that water should be allowed to help get the donut down, so the times were much quicker (Dave Graham ran well under 6:00). It was quickly decided that fluids were for feeble runners and was eliminated.

An important development to the rules of the 4XDonut occurred when Lorin Obler ran (around 1992). Previously, the rule had been that you must not spit the donut out at any time. Obler began by stuffing the entire donut in his mouth and taking off like a bat out of hell. After about 75 meters, however, he was more like a chipmunk regurgitating food stored in his cheeks. The unchewed ruminants of his donut were spewed out of his mouth scattering around him. The official (rumored to be Steve Bruner) made a snap executive decision and hollered, "if you pick it up and eat it you can keep running." Obler, gripped with the sudden euphoria that he could remain in the competition, promptly picked up the scattered ruminants of his donut off the track and sped off on pure adrenaline.

The Official Rules