Runners to Choke Down Half-Smokes During Annual ‘Half and Half’ Race

You might be able to run six and a half miles, but can you run another six and a half after choking down a piping hot half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl?

That’s what local runners will discover during the annual 13-mile “Half and Half” race this Saturday at 8 a.m.

During the first leg of the race, participants will run along Rock Creek, dart through Adams Morgan, detour through Dupont and finally stop at Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street.

Then, as Borderstan contributor Kelsey Flora chronicled after running the half-marathon in 2012, racers will wolf down a half-smoke doused with chili, onions and mustard — plus a bag of chips — as fast as humanly possible.

Runners, freshly stuffed with sausage and chili, must then finish the course backwards and uphill … and attempt to keep the half-smoke down the entire time.

Those wishing to witness the fun can fill out a volunteer form to help with the race.