Local Man to Run World's First Taco Bell 5K in Alton

ALTON - An Alton resident has decided to run the world’s first “Taco Bell 5K” — the 3.7-mile distance between Taco Bell on Landmarks Boulevard and the Taco Bell on Homer Adams Parkway.

On March 21, 2026, Ben Herring plans to consume 1,500 calories at one Taco Bell, run to the other, and eat an additional 3,500 calories worth of food for a total of 5,000 calories and a 5K run. In doing so, he is raising money for 5A’s Animal Shelter in Alton through a GoFundMe page.

“I might die,” Herring joked. “I might throw up or stop. But it’s just something fun to look forward to.”

Herring’s running journey started in January, when he was “huffing and puffing” up a flight of stairs and decided he needed to get in shape. He took up running. He wanted to sign up for a 5K and ultimately chose to create his own Taco Bell 5K because he thought it would be “funny.”

But it also felt like a chance to do some good. Last year, Herring and his fiancé started volunteering at 5A’s. He quickly fell in love with the dogs there, taking them out to play or cuddle every time he stopped by the shelter.

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Herring adopted his own dog, Goblin, from a shelter, and his father volunteers at a shelter in Chicago. The decision to benefit 5A’s was an easy choice.

“I’ve worked with them before and they’re great people,” he said. “Anytime I can get any sort of aid for a shelter, I thought, why not?”

So far, he’s raised a couple hundred dollars for 5A’s. But he hopes to fundraise more ahead of the 5K on March 21. He encourages people to donate to the GoFundMe or volunteer at the shelter, adding that he wants to do more in the future when he has more time.

As Herring prepares for the Taco Bell 5K, he is looking forward to the experience. He thinks it will be a fun day, though it will likely test him both as a runner and an eater.

He also urges people to keep shelters in mind when choosing a pet. He noted that most shelters have an overflow of animals. Just like he rescued Goblin, he hopes to help other dogs and cats find their forever homes.

“If anyone’s interested in getting a dog, I always say adopt and don’t shop,” he added. “There’s some great dogs in dog shelters out there. The dog I adopted a couple years ago is like the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. So I just really recommend people, if they’re interested in getting a dog, to go check out some shelters. There’s some great pooches out there that need loving homes.”

For more information about 5A’s Animal Shelter, including how to help, visit their official website.

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