What event involves Taco Bell, edible medals and 31+ miles? If you answered, the Taco Bell 50K event, you’d be correct! On May 31, 50 participants ran 31+ miles through the Twin Cities metro with seven stops at Border Foods’ Taco Bell restaurants along the way! 

Described as “nacho average marathon,” the course took participants on a loop through the Twin Cities, beginning at our Taco Bell in Bloomington, MN and ending in St. Paul. Stops along the run included Taco Bells in Richfield, Edina and Minneapolis. 

This quirky ultra is all about combining fitness, food and fun!

Julie Knopp is the runner behind the Twin Cities version of this race, and says her goal was for the day to be “as weird and magical as possible.” In keeping with that mission, unconventional race packets included Taco Bell-themed stickers and race bibs, hot sauce packets, and temporary “Run Más” tattoos. How far-reaching is this Taco Bell-themed race lore? One runner flew in from Alaska just for this event!

Huge shoutout to the small but mighty volunteer team that made the first ever Twin Cities Taco Bell 50K possible! There was a makeshift aid station between two of the stops, where a person dressed in a taco costume could be seen handing out water, Gatorade and fruit. 

Speaking of food, one might wonder how a person can run over 31 miles while taking taco breaks. The key to completing a Taco Bell 50K run successfully was to eat light food between stops, like Cinnamon Twists and Cheesy Roll Ups — nothing too heavy on the stomach. There are two food items participants were required to eat before completing the race: one Burrito and a Crunchwrap. Once participants crossed the finish line, racers were awarded with taco-flavored cookie medals.

While this is the first time this run has been hosted in Minnesota, there is one in Denver, CO that has been running (pun intended!) for some time. Will they be crazy enough to do it again in 2026? Stay tuned!

Gender equality isn’t a new thing at Border Foods. After all, we’ve had leading ladies at our head table for decades, including Sharla Hennek, Gay Demaree, and the late Carol Williams.

But this year, we proudly take it to the next level with a new women’s initiative entitled EmpowHER, thanks to Teri Staggemeyer, Border Foods’ Vice President of Finance and Accounting. 

“We’re ahead of the game when it comes to male/female leadership,” Teri says. “What we need to focus on is building confidence. Some women tend to go silent in certain environments.” 

EmpowHER is designed to empower and elevate the skills of current women leaders. 

Teri, who’s been with the company for six years, shares how EmpowHER was ultimately born out of her own desire for more support. She says she reached out to Sharla, as a female peer at Border Foods, to get some time on the calendar to talk about leadership, and managing the never-ending demands of work and family. That was in February 2024.

“I was having some struggles,” Teri shares. “I had great male leadership around me, but sometimes it takes a different view … or different conversations. I wanted to know if I was alone or if these were some of the same struggles that other women were going through.”

Discussions between Teri and Sharla helped Teri realize if she was needing these types of conversations, other female leaders at Border Foods probably were, too. The bond between the two has launched an initiative that will now benefit many!

“It’s important to us to help develop leadership,” Teri says.

Teri and Sharla put their ideas in writing, drafting a formal proposal. Sharla presented on EmpowHER to company leadership. With leadership support, an engagement survey was emailed to more than 90 female above restaurant leaders (ARL) and office women to assess interest level.

EmpowHER Takes Off

The survey confirmed that many of Border Foods’ rising women were, in fact, interested in networking, group learning, and stronger work relationships. Thirty women submitted responses. Good reason to launch EmpowHER!

In May 2024, 26 of our fantastic female leaders came together for an engaging EmpowHER kickoff event.

“It was a pretty fun day,” Teri says of EmpowHER’s first in-person event. The inaugural gathering focused on defining leadership, personal branding and helping participants identify their individual leadership style. Business Coach Carolien Moors facilitated part of the discussion, helping keep the conversation meaningful and productive.

EmpowHER is about effective communication, equal voices, and strong female leadership.

Teri says the goal for the first meeting was just getting women together and comfortable talking, and to begin building and strengthening relationships.

“We’ve got to get people on board,“ Teri says. “I was very happy to see 30 women interested.”

Attendees received Neil Pasricha’s journaling book, “Two Minute Mornings: A Journal to Win Your Day Every Day.” Teri says the main message here is, take a little time in your day to focus on the positive, recalibrate and be intentional.

What’s Next

EmpowHER will reconvene August 6 for this year’s second and final event. Our more than 90 female (ARL) and office women have been invited to attend! Topics will include building self-confidence and women stereotypes.

In 2025, Teri says there will be two meetings planned and several group activities sprinkled throughout the year. While the specifics are still being developed, the EmpowHER wish list includes a possible mentorship program, outside speakers, workshops and webinars, and more.