Why a Utah Woman Ran a Marathon Dressed as a Potato

Debbie Cannon from Syracuse, Utah, who has completed 195 marathons, recently ran the Pittsburgh Marathon on May 3, 2026, in a custom-made potato costume. She was one of 26 runners selected by Potatoes USA to participate as an official Speedy Spud representative, meaning she wore the potato outfit from start to finish. Debbie, who was born and raised in Idaho Falls and calls herself a true “potato baby,” was chosen from applicants nationwide to represent the humble spud. She hopes to run a marathon in all 50 states, with Pennsylvania being one of the final stops on her journey.

Why a potato? A medium-sized potato (150g) with the skin contains 26 grams of carbohydrates, which are essential for optimal physical and mental performance. Additionally, this vegetable is packed with nutrients: it has more potassium than a banana (620 mg vs. 422 mg), provides 30% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C, and also contains iron and protein — nutrients that can help prevent cramps, support immunity, and improve muscle function.