Color Run

Color Me Rad

First I want to start off by saying there are many, many color runs: The Color Run, Color me Rad, Color Vibe, and I am sure the list goes on. I have only done Color me Rad so I cannot speak for all of the runs. I will however include links to the websites in case you are interested in finding when they come to your city

http://www.colormerad.com/

http://thecolorrun.com/ (in RTP October 4^th)

http://www.thecolorvibe.com/

My tips for a color run
1.) Prices start off low, at $35 per person but as it gets closer to the date of the race prices increase. Sign up early

2.) Prices are also cheaper if you sign up as a group and if you really want to save money check sites like Groupon.

3.) Do NOT wear shoes that you don’t want ruined. They will be covered in colored powder. If you spent $150 on a pair of black running shoes they will come out stained. I opted for a $15 pair of white sneakers from Wal-mart.

4.) If you wear contacts it is wise to wear swimming goggles or sunglasses to protect your eyes from the powder

5.) Dress up! Have fun, it’s a judgment free zone. I’ve seen everything from sweatpants to tutus to unicorn costumes.

FAQs
*Kids are allowed. Children under 7 are free but they will NOT get a free t-shirt, tattoo, color packet, sunglasses or anything found in the race packet that a paying participant receives.

*Dogs are NOT allowed

*A 5k translates to 3.1 miles

*The powder thrown on you is safe. It is made of cornstarch

*If you are under 18 years of age you need to have signed permission from a parents

*Proceeds go to the Special Olympics - however each year the charity is subject to change

* You do NOT have to run. It is not a timed race and you will not win anything if you cross the finish line first

My Personal Experience
I did the Color me Rad run when it passed through Raleigh. I signed up as a group of two and used a Groupon to cut the costs even more. During sign up you pick a team name and a start time. Due to there being so many people involved there are waves every 15 minutes so the path isn’t overcrowded.  The day before the race you go to a designated area to pick up your “race packets”. Your race packet is included in the fee you pay when you sign up. The packet included a pair of sunglasses, a shirt, a bib (the paper with your number that you wear on your shirt), a temporary tattoo that says RAD and a color packet (a plastic baggy of colored cornstarch). You MUST wear your bib to the race, think of it as your ticket and proof you paid.

The day of the race came and it was held around Walnut Creek. There were signs that directed us where to park, it was on a grassy field, and it was little walk to the main area. At the main area there were port-o-potties, if that isn’t your thing I suggest a bathroom break before arriving, a few tents selling more merchandise and a booth selling drinks and snacks. There is music playing to keep those of us that were waiting our turn busy and when our time came we moved to the start line. They count you down and then you are off. There are some people that chose to run and others walked it really was how comfortable you at whatever pace you wanted. 

There were 5 stations, one for each kilometer we put behind us. At each station there were volunteers with buckets of colored powder. You run or walk by and they throw it on you. Some people chose to run back or stand there and get coated. We continued on this path, each station having a different color. One station had colored water that sprayed us. Getting to the finish line there is a big celebration. A stage with a DJ playing the latest hits and volunteers hand you a bottle of water and energy bar. Every few minutes while listening to the music they counted down and we set off ‘color bombs’ which were the packets of cornstarch given to us thrown in the air.

By the time I was ready to go home. I was tired, covered from head to toe but so happy. My white shoes were pink, yellow and green, my hair was pink and yellow and my mother didn’t want to let me in her car.