Momma Told Me: Happiest 5k On The Planet: The Color Run Giveaway-A Race I Can Conquer

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Happiest 5k On The Planet: The Color Run Giveaway-A Race I Can Conquer

*** I will receive  one or more free admission codes in exchange for sharing my views on this event. No further compensation was provided. All images are copyright The Color Run 2013.
The Color Run
Momma Told Me: Live life in color.

I am not athletic. I'm not morbidly obese, but an individual can be at their target weight and still be physically unfit. I'll just fess up that this time last year I was huffing after climbing our condo stairs twice in 15 minutes. Don't get me wrong, I like walking' I'll walk for hours around the mall, or the local farm- but breaking a sprint, well, that would require an emergency. I'm the girl who participates in the 'sport' of bowling; where most league members supplement 2 hours of drinking with 15 minutes of actually throwing the ball. I've tried to be more active, but I'm simply more concerned with living a healthier lifestyle- and, for me, that meant cutting out all of the 'no-no' foods I used to consume daily. I walk on the treadmill several times a week, but I am far from the 14 minute mile I'd mastered in high school. And, if you'd have asked me a year ago if I'd ever consider participating in a 5k, I'd ask if that was in diamonds or gold; because this girl ain't running.
The Color Run Paint
But it's amazing what living healthy, and having a supportive system of family and friends can do for one's confidence and vitality. I used to be that blogger who's online friends were constantly posting their training regimen and 'race' times. I'd lazily breeze past those posts, looking for something more, colorful. A good recipe, cute family pictures, the latest Pinterest FAIL attempt; anything that didn't involve hours in the blinding sun at the crack of dawn, and sweating. I just didn't see those posts as ever being 'me.' I couldn't identify with the competition, the perseverance, the determination, the neon socks, and the short shorts. That's because I didn't have confidence in myself. I was clearly lacking motivation because the voice in my head kept saying 'you're not good enough.' But who were they to talk?
The Color Run Race
Millions of people, every year, take to the streets to walk (or run) for a cause. Some are elderly, some have defeated cancer, others are pushed in a jogging stroller by a loving mom. We're conditioned, in grade school, to recoil at the 'k.' 'K' means hard work, it means sweat, it means public locker rooms and competition. The 'k's' are for the racers, those born with a passion for running; not the everyday Joe like me. But there are a few events rapidly growing in popularity that challenge the traditional notion of a 5k run. Races where nobody tracks the first to cross the finish line, runs that encourage the finish more than the time taken to get there, and colors, glorious colors. For years I've longingly followed various friends on 'mud runs,' one of the types of fun runs sweeping the less, athletic prone participants worldwide. Then I discovered The Color Run; dubbed the Happiest 5k On The Planet.
One look at a Color Run photo and you;ll instantly know what all the buzz is about. Participants, initially dressed in white, cross the 5k finish line sprayed in a rainbow of corn starch paint. Entrants age 0-99 are encouraged to run, roll, or walk through 3 miles of scenic territory on a 5k route, with 4 assigned color checkpoints along the way. The event originally began in hopes of inspiring both the athletically inclined and the athletically unmotivated to come together in a vibrant celebration of life. Participants walk for a variety of reasons; some walk to celebrate a personal health victory, some walk to honor a loved one, others walk to spend a day with family in friends. Many enter, and all leave united, in a cloud of glorious color. The Color Run is an untimed event, purely for fun, open to all ages, with a general admittance fee that covers operations costs and basic entry swag. Individuals may register solo, or teams of 4+ may be created with a discount of $5 per person. Multiple entry windows are open, with each zone (closer to the event) going up in cost; so it is important to register early! These events do and will sell out.
The Color Run
A portion of the proceeds from each race are donated to a charity local to the city the event is being held in, and there are over 100 events nationwide each year, including several international events. Merchandise is sold, for profit, though each runner's entry fee includes a packet of  'Color,' a race number, event t-shirt, sweat band, tattoos, and sponsor goodies. I wandered over to their website to check upcoming events on a whim, expecting to find an event in Los Angeles, and was surprised to find 9 races in California this year, including an October 19 race in the city next to our hometown, Ventura, CA. As you can see, above, the participants in attendance can range well over 19k, and costumes/accessories are encouraged. There is only one rule of The Color Run (ok, there are some basic safety rules, but it really is all about FUN); come in white, and leave plastered in color. Myself and 8 other participants (from 4-30) will be participating in the local, upcoming, event this October. Be sure to keep an eye out for our preparation posts, and the event recap.

Interested in participating in a Color Run near you? There are many  copycats, but only one official Color Run- visit The Color Run website today, to find an event near you and use discount code COLOR5OFF for a special $5 discount off each entrance purchased!

What Daughter Says: Add some extra color to your year and attend a Color Run near you.





One Momma Told Me reader will win 2 The Color Run entry passes to an open (not sold out) race, near them!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

16 comments:

  1. The Color RUn in Minneapolis is this weekend. Too soon to sign up , but hopefully I can get in on next year!

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  2. I am planning to do the color run in my area.

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  3. I'm really excited to learn there is a run very close to me at The Color Run™ 5k – New Hampshire. It's about 30 minutes away!!

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  4. Philadelphia is the closest, but is being run in two days - so I'd pick the Atlantic City one which is in October!

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  5. The closest event to me is The Color Run™ 5k – El Paso

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  6. The closest to me is Niagara Falls

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  7. Cape Coral/Ft. Myers. I'm so excited - I was actually per-registered for my mine, so this would be an awesome one to win! I can't wait for the color run :D

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  8. Looking forward to their Fall Atlanta event. :)

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  9. Portland, OR - and with enough time to train for it!

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  10. I'm excited that they are coming to Providence, RI!!

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  11. Chicago is the closest one to me, but they already had theirs this year. Looks like St. Louis has one in September.

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