Color Run paints thousands
September 17, 2014
It was forty degrees and sunny when about 6,000 individuals of all ages flooded the streets for The Color Run: Kaleidoscope Tour on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Riverside Park. East Veterans Memorial Drive was a sea of white as waves of runners waited eagerly and patiently to start the untimed 5K. The run started on State Street where it continued on S. Front Street, working its way up to 9th Street, and finally down to 2nd and Jay streets where the runners started back towards the park. Fogs of blue, yellow, pink and purple powder covered participants at five zones throughout the course.
Henry Sayner, the winner of the first wave said, “It was pretty hard to get used to [the powder] the first time because I got it all in my teeth.” But Sayner also said the colors were what he liked most about the race, “Getting splattered with paint made it a lot easier to run.” Sayner was formally in cross-country and has run half marathons in the past, but said that this was his first Color Run, “I heard about it from my friends, and they said it was really fun so I decided to do it.” Sayner also said he was using The Color Run as training for the Maple Leaf half-marathon in two weeks.
Participants each received a Run Race Kit that included a custom t-shirt, tricolor headband, sling bag, tattoos and more. At the end of the race, a Finish Festival proceeded in the park where music, dancing, Kaleidoscope pictures, massive color throws and giveaways took place. With such a joyful and lively atmosphere and a mission to promote healthiness, happiness and individuality, it is no wonder The Color Run has earned a reputation as “the happiest 5K on the planet.”
The Color Run’s official partners are Shout, Kind and Global Citizen, but as a for-profit organization, partners with local charities for each run in each city. This year The Color Run partnered with the Children’s Museum of La Crosse. Donations embedded in the event will go to and help support the organization and what they stand for. The Color Run has helped raise donations for more than 80 local and national charities since 2012, a year after its founding. You can go to thecolorrun.com to nominate a charity you care about for the event in the future.
According to their webpage, La Crosse can be sure to see The Color Run back again next year. They said, “We had a blast with you in La Crosse and cannot wait to get colorful with you again!” Those interested can join the VIP list at thecolorrun.com to be the first to know when they come back. Until then, stay happy, stay healthy and stay you!
