26 Speedy Spuds are Headed to Pittsburgh for the Biggest Potato Moment in Racing History

It started with one potato costume, one very fast medical student, and a dream: To prove once and for all that potatoes can fly.

Now, Team Potato’s Speedy Spud campaign is going bigger.

On Sunday, May 3, 26 runners will line up for the Pittsburgh Marathon and Half Marathon decked out in custom potato costumes, making it the largest known coordinated potato costume running event in American history — a bar that, until now, no one thought to set.

Why 26? The number has a story.

After the success of our first and second Speedy Spud activations, Team Potato is scaling up the event to reach even more people with our nutrition message. A medium (5.3 oz), skin-on potato contains 26 grams of carbohydrates, the nutrient critical for fueling athletic performance. That same potato also delivers more potassium than a banana (620 mg vs. 422 mg), which may help prevent muscle cramps; 30% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, which may support immunity; and iron and protein to round out muscle function.

The Road to Race Day

The 26 Speedy Spuds, who were selected from a nationwide applicant pool, will be featured on Potato Goodness social media channels throughout April, sharing how they fuel with potatoes and what drove them to represent America’s favorite vegetable on race day.

Take Christine T. from Florida; she said, “Potatoes are my go-to fuel because they’re so versatile, reliable, and effective! I can incorporate them into every part of my day, from home fries at breakfast to roasted potatoes at dinner, and even the occasional snack. Their flexibility makes it easy to fuel intentionally without overcomplicating things, and that consistency is something I value in both training and nutrition.”

Then, on Sunday, May 3, they’ll spread out across the Pittsburgh Marathon and Half Marathon courses, 26 rolling spuds representing everything the humble potato brings to the table (and the track).

Taking it Beyond the Course

The Speedy Spud campaign won’t just be running through Pittsburgh — it’ll be running through newsfeeds, too. The Potatoes USA team will be reaching out to Pittsburgh media outlets and local press in each runner’s hometown to maximize coverage before, during, and after race day. The effort will be backed by a comprehensive social media campaign designed to put potatoes at the center of one of the biggest marathon weekends of the spring.

Stay tuned to this newsletter and Instagram to meet the Spuds in the weeks ahead, and follow along with Team Potato on Strava and at PotatoGoodness.com.