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- Ainsley Chapman ran the Salt Lake City Half Marathon in a potato outfit.
- Chapman, 27, won Potatoes USA's "Speedy Spud" contest with an essay on potatoes.
- She highlighted potatoes' nutritional benefits and completed the race in 1:41.16.
SALT LAKE CITY — How far would you go to showcase your favorite food? One Salt Lake City woman ran 13.1 miles Saturday dressed as a potato.
Ainsley Chapman, 27, donned the massive spud to show that spuds aren't just a side dish, but a main dish ... for speed.
When she heard about the "Speedy Spud" challenge hosted by Potatoes USA, a national marketing and research organization for the country's potato growers, she knew she was a shoo-in.
Chapman is Potato USA's second Speedy Spud, and she won the contest after submitting an essay outlining the critical role potatoes have played in her training.
When asked if she prefers her potatoes fried, mashed or baked, Chapman said that she likes them roasted.
"I just chop them up, add some seasoning and roast them up," she said. "It's a quick and easy meal."
Aside from the ease that a roasted potato meal provides, Chapman was quick to mention the nutritional benefits of her favorite starchy vegetable.
"Potatoes offer a lot of what I need," she said, and she's not wrong. In fact, according to Potatoes USA, potatoes provide three critical components for peak performance, including carbohydrates, potassium and energy.
Kayla Vogel, senior global marketing manager at Potatoes USA, said the "Speedy Spud" initiative has a goal of putting potatoes back in the spotlight where she believes they belong.
"On behalf of potato farmers nationwide, we want to showcase all the health benefits that potatoes have to offer," Vogel said. "They really are one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables out there."
Chapman agreed, adding that her pre-race meal for the Salt Lake City Half Marathon consisted of roasted potatoes.
The pre-race spuds proved to be speed-inducing, because despite (or because of) running in a potato outfit, Chapman completed the race in a time of 1:41.16, which is a solid 8-minute-per-mile pace.
"It was really fun!" Chapman said of the race. "I loved all the involvement and community that was cheering me on and calling out 'Speedy Spud!'"
As for a post-race meal, Chapman confirmed that taters (maybe not tots) are on the menu.
"The community support — and my plans for post-race potatoes — really helped me throughout the race," she said.
