Last November, 429 runners (the Capital Runner included) covered 32.4 miles from Old Town Alexandria to Capitol Hill and back, eating at nine Taco Bell stops along the way. On November 27, a new crop of runners will get the chance to do it again.
We caught up with Mike Wardian, the Arlington ultramarathoner who started the race with his friend Phil Hargis, to talk about what they learned in year one and what changes in year two.
How Year One Went
The idea came from Denver, where a Taco Bell 50K has run for nearly a decade. While Wardian had never run it, one of his Hardrock 100 pacers told him about the race, and he thought it was a uniquely absurd endeavor that deserved to be brought to the DMV.
"It looked like so much fun," he said. "We need to have this in D.C."
He pitched a local version to a group chat with his brother, Hargis and a few friends and figured a handful of people might show up. Within an hour, about 30 had signed up. By race day, more than 1,000 people from 25 states had registered.
About 500 of them showed up on November 29, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, in below-freezing temperatures outside the Taco Bell Cantina on King Street. There were those who took it as a serious athletic endeavor and those who dressed up as burritos and in tutus who were ready for a fun day consuming an unhealthy amount of tex-mex.
Everyone ate their first item at the start line, which spread out the field before anyone took a step. From there, runners picked their own way to Van Dorn Street, up to Lee Highway and Courthouse in Arlington, across the river to Columbia Heights, U Street, Chinatown and Union Station, then back down the Potomac to Old Town.
Mike Smith won the first race in 4:12:35, and the last finisher came in one second under the 11-hour cutoff. In all, 429 people finished, and at least 93 of them were running their first ultramarathon, according to a post-race survey from the organizers.
What surprised Wardian most was how smoothly it all went.
"Organizationally, it went so well," he said. "We were lucky to have incredible volunteers to help us hand out the bibs."
Finishers ranged from kids to masters runners, with every fitness level in between. "Everyone had a good time," Wardian said, "and we want to keep that community growing in 2026 and beyond."
The Rules Are the Rules
The Taco Bell DC 50K is a fatass, the ultrarunning term for an informal, low-key race that is usually free. The format dates to the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1970s, when runners organized long runs to burn off the weight they gained over the holidays. Fatass events put community ahead of competition, and their unofficial slogan is "No fees, no aid, no wimps." There are no road closures, no course markings and no aid stations. Runners find their own way from stop to stop.
In keeping with that spirit, registration costs nothing, but there are a few ground rules for participants to follow.
After eating your requisite item, runners must stash each wrapper and carry it to the finish, where volunteers count them.
A Chalupa Supreme or Crunchwrap Supreme has to go down by the fourth stop, and a Burrito Supreme or Nachos Bell Grande by the eighth. Drinks don't count toward the item, but it is important to remember to stay hydrated over the course of the race. (Pro-tip from me: don’t save the Burrito Supreme until Union Station, but if you do, wash it down with something).
Runners have to hit the stops in order, but the pace is up to them. The 11-hour cutoff is generous on purpose. "We want everyone to have a chance to try it out," Wardian said. "We want it to be a good time for the community."
Pepto-Bismol, Alka-Seltzer, Pepcid AC and Mylanta are banned on the course. Vomiting is allowed, though the organizers discourage it.
What's Different in 2026
The race moves from Saturday to Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving, with an 8 a.m. start.
With the turkey that much closer, Wardian suggests saving a little room for the race and maybe skipping the extra slice of pie. Holding the race over the holiday weekend turned out to be one of the organizers' best decisions last year, since it pulled in runners from out of town who were visiting family.
As of this writing, 1,111 people have signed up.
As they did last year, the organizers are giving the participating Taco Bell locations a heads-up and staying in touch with them ahead of race day. Wardian said the stores were excited to take part in year one.
This time, the race is also getting a permit and, while the race remains free, participants are invited to chip in to pay for the paperwork.
"Last year we were worried about getting arrested, but we worked with the police and it was cool," Wardian said. "This year we are working with the police, and they have been great to work with."
The Course
The second running of the Taco Bell DC 50K looks a lot like last year’s. Runners will start at the Taco Bell Cantina in Old Town Alexandria before making their way through Northern Virginia and into D.C.
Stops in D.C. include Columbia Heights and its neighbor U Street, Chinatown, and Union Station. From Union Station, runners can take the National Mall and Mount Vernon Trail and end up back at the King Street Cantina for their final item and finish.
Advice for First-Timers
Wardian's advice for anyone attempting their first ultra is to get used to eating and running at the same time.
"When I first started running, I would run fasted, and that is different," he said. "Practice running after a meal to get used to having something in your stomach. Test out the Taco Bell beforehand."
Also, consider downloading the Taco Bell app and using it to order ahead when possible. With such a crowded field, each location can get swamped and slow you down.
Pro Tip: Order your food items the day before and carry them all with you during the race. There is no rule saying when you must order the food, just that you eat the requisite items AT one of the eight locations.
Gear Check
Made in ALX, the store just to the right of the Taco Bell Cantina on King Street, is hosting a free gear check for runners. The store will be open for gear drop from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on race day. Pack everything in one closed bag, and leave cash, jewelry and other valuables at home.
All bags must be picked up by noon on Saturday, November 28. Anything left after that is considered abandoned and may be thrown out, no exceptions. Made in ALX and the race organizers, volunteers and affiliates aren't responsible for lost, stolen, damaged or unclaimed items. The service is free, but tips for the Made in ALX staff are appreciated.
The Taco Bell DC 50K starts at 8 a.m. on Friday, November 27, at the Taco Bell Cantina, 417 King Street in Alexandria. Registration is free at tacobelldc50k.com.