Billed as ‘the Happiest 5K on the Planet,’ the Color Run is one of a handful of new running events creating a splash in cities across our nation.
With franchises around the world, the Color Run hit U.S. shores just one year ago. Since then, it’s been attracting thousands of participants. By definition more a ‘color experience’ than an endurance run, the 5K fun run/walk seeks to create a crazy day spent with family and friends all while being showered with copious amounts of brightly colored powder.
Participants can be any age. No running ability is necessary. According to the event organizers, the course can be run, walked or crawled.
There are only two simple rules:
1) You must wear a white shirt (your canvas)
2) You must be covered with colored dust by the time you reach the finish line.
Here’s out it works.
As participants travel along the 5K course, they cross kilometer marks associated with a particular color, the designated ‘kilometer color zones.’ At each color station, race volunteers, staff and supporters throw colored powder at participants, dousing them with pigment. The colors go in order from yellow, orange, pink to blue, culminating in a ‘rainbow of color’ at the finish line. The result? Each participant becomes a walking polychromatic piece of living art. In the words of race director Seth King,
‘ When life gives you color, run with it.’
Designated as the ‘original paint race’, Color Race participants get into the vibe by donning crazy costumes that can run the gamut from tutus to unicorns. Pumped up by loud music at the start line, they can be seen making clowns of themselves, getting into the wild frenzy of the day and literally 'freaking out' in the colored dust, some rolling on the street.
The end of the race is celebrated with a big party with food and festivities. Spectators join participants in one final frenzy of color as they splatter the leftover pigment from the run. By the way, the color dust is 100% natural, concocted by organizers out of a blend of cornstarch and food coloring.
Color Run participants can register individually or as a ‘color team’ comprised of 4 or more members. Organizers highly recommend the latter, which they call a ‘unit.’ They also recommend members choose team names and costumes and come prepared to have a wild day.
This year’s event in Washington, DC circles the National Harbor and is scheduled for May 19. Check out The Color Run website for details on how to sign up to receive a VIP alert as soon as registration opens. Last year’s event attracted over 5000 participants and sold out in four hours. Not bad for its Washington debut.
Each Color Run event benefits local non-profits.
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