The Color Run

I did the Shine tour 2015 Color run this summer and it was a bit of a let down. First of all, it was cloudy at the start line and then the skies began to darken. My friends and i then heard the claps of thunder and then it was like, OH SH*#, its coming down. And then it did. As we started to run, it began to pour! And not just a brief shower, It rained the whole race!!!
Not that any of us could control the weather but as Lily Z. had mentioned, the event planners were ill prepared for the rain. Instead of getting a «dusting» of colored powder, you received a heavy sling of colored mud (because the powder had already mixed with the heavy rains) as you ran through each color station. And just when you’ve hit the 3.1 mile marker, drenched and cold and perhaps starting to get the shakes from hypothermia, you are hit one last time in colored mud… Only this time its GOLD powder!!!
Yes people. You’re hit with gold colored mud only to be glowing like a sad looking Oscar statue at the end of the finish line. Let’s just say it was the piece de resistance to end it all off. My guess was that the crowd either loved and embraced the drenching experience or hated it completely. I’d hear runners say, «This is so BLEEPIN» awesome! Let’s do this next year!” And then there were those that were like, «This Fn sucks. I’m never doing this again.» And then there were those families with their 2 – 3 year old crying incessantly because they’re all wet…
The blowers at the end of the race were of no use to anyone there since you were already covered in rain and powder. The powder just stained you and anything you touched. Luckily i was smart enough to bring a towel to sit on in the car ride home, otherwise i would have had a helluva time time doing detailing on the car seats!!! Post-​racers left the event looking like «Carrie» from the movie but instead of blood, you were a rainbow/​glittered hot mess…
I guess the only consolation prize this year was that they gave you a finisher’s medal. Perhaps next year will have better weather.

The most low key 5k ever. This was my first and everything was oh so casual! I wish the different color stations were better prepared because some of them ran out of powder by the time we arrived. Also, I don’t know if they were adequately prepared for the rain. The post-​it wall was a wreck. The Shout station was closed. I was not impressed with the SINGLE leaf blower for the entire race. The organizers made it seem like the leaf blower was some amazing post-​race cleaner. No. it was really a guy with a leaf blower.
A bit disappointed but at least the other runners made it fun and energetic.

My first 5K!
Would definitely recommend to all «sports lovers» that don’t like sports! Ha ha
It’s lots of fun!
Create your own Team to get a special price!

My first 5k ever was like one big party! The colors washed off pretty good and the clothes didnt stain either. I will do it again!!!

I plotted out the length of the run after completing and it was less than 4K!!! How can you advertise a 5K distance and simply have us run a whole kilometer length shorter is beyond me. Way to give a bunch of people (especially for some of my friends who were first timers) false impressions that they ran a 5K race!
The idea is unique and different but to be that careless about race length is completely sacrilege in the running world and I wouldn’t recommend completing this supposed ‘5K’ race next year.

This was truly the most fun I’ve had in a very long time. I cannot wait until next year. The photos turned out awesome and everyone just looks like they had a wonderful time. Definitely make sure to sign up early next year as I am SURE now that this has become more publicized, it will sell out quicker than it did this year! Thanks to all of the volunteers and staff. They did an outstanding job!

This really is «The Happiest 5K On The Planet»! If you don’t consider yourself a runner but you love to have fun, this is the 5K for you. I walked and skipped (and tripped and fell down) and had so much fun. If you are interested in this race get on the mailing list, add The Color Run on Facebook and get your admission for your chosen city (or cities) as soon as they go on sale because spots will sell out! I can’t say enough good things. Packet pick-​up was fun, even if mailing them to us would have been more convenient. The volunteers are so nice and excited. We got to Montrose Harbor by about 7:15am and we were able to park in the lot but spaces were becoming scarce and street parking was completely full already. We were in the first wave of Color Runners and things went by so quickly from there! There were runners, joggers, walkers and kids in strollers and people dressed up in festive costumes. Teams and also folks who came by themselves. All ages. All shapes and sizes. All fun. Everyone has a place at The Color Run and I think that might be the true beauty of the whole thing. Can’t wait for next year.

The Color Run was my first 5k, so I have nothing to compare it to… but it was so much FUN! Definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to do a 5k. If it is something you’re interested in, make sure you stay updated on it… I remember this one sold out pretty quickly! The color can be a challenge to get off… still have some green on me and some pink hair, but well worth it!
Make sure you bring sunglasses or something to color your eyes, the powder can be extra crazy at times! Parking at Montrose wasn’t too bad, we got their early though (like 6:45, so we parked without any issues.)
For future color runners, have fun and enjoy it! If you are an avid runner who takes runs seriously, this probably isn’t right for you… this was definitely just a 5k to have fun with!

What an amazing and FUN 5k this was. This is a 5K for people who don’t like running. It’s not chipped and it’s pretty much one big colorful playground. My group felt like it wasn’t a true 5k but we really didn’t care because like I said, this is all about fun. It also benefited Children’s Memorial and that’s always a plus in my book.
Tips for people doing it in the future.
1. Green is the hardest to get off of your skin. So ummm, try to avoid getting green all over your face.
2. I wore a wig and a shower cap under it and it helped a ton. I’ve got light blonde hair so I’m sure all of the pretty colors would have been sucked right in. My friends that didn’t go the same route as me aren’t so lucky. They’ve got some pretty colorful hair now.
3. Ziplock bags help keep color off of your phone and other belongings.
4. Don’t put your colorbag in gearcheck. Some people did and they were sad to miss out on the final color ceremony.
5. Baby wipes always help clean your hands and face after any kind of messy run
6. Take public transportation. I saw the line of cars trying to get out of the parking lots when we were walking by. It was a mess!
7. Bring extra clothes to change into if you have to drive your car.
8. Don’t bring extra clothes or wash your face if you and your friends are going out afterwards. You’ll have an awesome time. Heck, maybe even a 15 person color run team will have a dance party in the middle of Sausage Fest.
9. This is super important, wear something to cover your eyes. Sunglasses worked perfect for me.
10. Don’t take this serious. It’s the funnest run you’ll ever be involved in.
Here’s a video from my running crew. Enjoy! :)