Participating in a Color Run is one of the most amazing things a person can do, and running is not required. There is no winner because it\’s not a race and everyone, young and old, runner or not, is encouraged to participate. Instead, it\’s a competition to have fun and become a rainbow of colors by the end of the day.

The Color Run event is named for the corn starch that is multi-colored and thrown at the people on the course as they travel the course and as a celebration at the end. Participants begin the run wearing a clean white shirt of their choosing and then color is thrown at the runners throughout the course which ends up creating a rainbow effect on the shirt, and all over the runner of course. There are no problems with the color as it is made from non-toxic corn starch from Kroger which is also doesn\’t cause rashes either.

The run is designed to be open to anyone who can run, but for those who can\’t run or walk, there are additional opportunities to volunteer. Volunteers are part of the color bomb squad. Runners go past the bomb squad members who throw color at them throughout the course and it\’s these volunteers who really make the event amazing. For families and teams, it\’s possible to register and run as a team, or an individual of course, so that the run can become a shared experience. This just adds to the fun of the day.

Everything else considered about the event, it\’s not a competition or a race to see who\’s the quickest; runners are meant to enjoy themselves. Walking or running doesn\’t factor into the run because the 5k run is for all ages and all abilities. This Color Run is not a race since it\’s not about competition, it\’s an opportunity for friendship and fun. Runners of every age are welcome and there is no time limit to the run, except finishing before the sun goes down. There isn\’t even a clock to time the run. People of all ages are allowed to join in, even including small children. The run is free to children younger than 7 who run with a paying adult.

Whether a participant runs, walks, or donates their time, the Color Run is an opportunity to go out and act like a kid again. The event is often said by participants to be the best day of their entire year, and they feel even better knowing that part of the proceeds goes to a charity in the city.