Q: What is a fat ass race?
A: A "Fat Ass" race is an informal, low-key, and often free running event, typically an ultramarathon. Originating in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1970s, the name comes from runners' desire to burn off extra weight gained during the holidays. These events emphasize community and camaraderie over competition and are best summarized by the unofficial slogan, "No Fees, No Aid, No Wimps".

Q: What is the cost to enter?
A: $0. There is no cost to enter this fat ass race. However, the cost of food items at each Taco Bell location is the responsibility of and must be purchased by the individual runner.

Q: Are substitutions allowed?
A: Yes, Taco Bell has a very flexible menu and most items can be customized to meet your dietary preferences. Vegans, for example: the crunchwrap supreme and bean burrito are both available as vegan options.

Q: Do you have to consume a different item each stop?
A: No, but variety is the spice of life and spirit of this race! Please make sure to consume the required items per the rules.

Q: For the mandatory items, what does "by the 4th stop" and "by the 8th stop mean?
A: By the 4th stop (this means, at stop 1, 2, 3 or 4), all entrants must have consumed at least one (1) Chalupa Supreme or one Crunchwrap Supreme (dietary restrictions will be allowed within reason).

By the 8th stop (this means, at stop 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8) all entrants must have consumed at least one (1) Burrito Supreme or one Nachos Bell Grande (dietary restrictions will be allowed within reason).

Q: Are sides and sweets allowed?
A: Yes, but don’t look for the easy way out!

Q: How should I order my food?
A: Here are some potentially helpful tips to consider:

1. For the first 2-3 stops, it is probably best to order something in advance, either the night before from a Taco Bell or from the 1st stop in Alexandria, that you can carry with you and eat at locations 2 and 3. By the 3rd stop, the runners will probably have built a little separation to alleviate the flood of people arriving to the first few locations. Please order as early as possible and make sure to consider the ingredients, for example sour cream may not travel well in your backpack or pocket for 2 hours. Final note: one item must be consumed at each location before proceeding to the next location.

2. Download the Taco Bell app and plan your order in advance, when you are on the way to the next location as you deem fit. Again, please order it as early as possible, so you are not caught waiting too long. It would be wise to store all race course stops in the Taco Bell app in advance.

3. You are certainly welcome to order from the cashier when you arrive, but expect to wait. Ordering in advance through the app, will make everyone’s life a little easier today.

4. Do NOT forget the required items:

   1. By the 4th stop, all entrants must have consumed at least one (1) Chalupa Supreme or one Crunchwrap Supreme (dietary restrictions will be allowed within reason).

   2. By the 8th stop, all entrants must have consumed at least one (1) Burrito Supreme or one Nachos Bell Grande (dietary restrictions will be allowed within reason).

Important Note: There will be hundreds of runners in this race, so the staff at the restaurants will be busy trying to help us and help their regular customers. So please order early and be patient and polite to their staff and leave the establishment in better condition, then when you entered.

Q: Is it allowed to order ahead for the food and collect the receipt or does it have to be ordered on-site?
A: You can absolutely order your food in advance, and are encouraged to do that. In fact, you could order it the night before, and consume one item and each stop if you wanted to. That would be helpful for the first 3 stops as they will probably be the busiest depending on how fast you are. We ask that each runner bring a ziplock bag with them on race day to store receipts and wrappers. Paper receipts are not required for items ordered through the Taco Bell app. Final note: one item must be consumed at each location before proceeding to the next location.

Q: How can I navigate the course?
A: This is fat ass race (see definition of a “fat ass race” above), as such there is no exact route to follow, no signs, no pace car, no parking, or correct way to get from one store location or another. You need to figure it all out for yourself, you can go any route you desire. And that is half of the fun!!

Tips for navigating the course.

1. You are on your own for navigation, but the good news is we live in a technologically advanced society and getting from one store to another is super easy.

2. We have posted google maps links to all restaurant locations on the website home page under “Course”. It works well to use google maps app. Keep the website or all google map links handy on your phone and enter them as soon as your arrive to the next location, while your waiting or eating your food. That way, you will know where your heading. Pro Tip: If you enter all the addresses into google maps app before race day, they will quickly and easily come up, when you need them, and may even stay cached in the app for you. You can also save the locations.

3. For google maps, make sure to use the pedestrian setting and not the driving setting for navigation route on the app. Otherwise, you may be taken on undesirable roads.

4. You can and should use the Taco Bell app to save the locations of all race locations for easy reference. You can also link to maps through the Taco Bell app.

5. It is best to practice using google maps and Taco Bell app before race day!

6. You are responsible for your own safety, please be smart, safe, and follow all traffic laws.

7. GPX file can be downloaded here: Taco Bell DC 50 GPX file.

Q: Are the roads gonna be closed or are there signs pointing us in the correct direction or do we have to rely on GPS?
A: The roads will not be closed and there will be no signs pointing you in the correct direction. Using GPS will be your best bet to navigate the route. Last night I added some tips regarding this and a GPX file of the route you can use. GPX file can be downloaded here: Taco Bell DC 50 GPX file.

Q: What are the transportation and parking options for race day?
A: Parking for the start/finish is limited to local parking garages. If you are planning to drive, your best bet will be to use the Spot Hero app to find a place to park. Uber/Lyft/Taxi is also a great way to get dropped off right at the start line for the race. Metro is also possible at the King St./Old Town stop on the yellow or blue lines. It's about a mile from the start line Taco Bell location. If you park on the streets, make sure to read and study the sign very carefully to make sure you don't get a ticket!

Parking in Old Town info: https://www.alexandriava.gov/parking/parking-in-old-town-alexandria

Frequently Asked Questions