The Color Run
Company typePrivate
Founded2011
FounderTravis Snyder
HeadquartersDraper, UT[1]
Key people
Travis Snyder (Founder & CEO)
Websitethecolorrun.com

The Color Run, nicknamed the "happiest 5K on the planet" is the single largest 5K series in the nation,[2] known for the colored powder thrown at runners throughout the race.

History

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The Color Run was founded by Brigham Young University graduate Travis Snyder who serves as the privately held company's executive director.[3] As a triathlete and avid runner himself he began organizing his own races in 2003 with hopes to create a race that both advanced and novice runners could enjoy.[4] Snyder was also one of the founders of the Red Rock Relay.[5]The Color Run is said to resemble the artwork of Jackson Pollock and the Hindu festival of Holi.[6] The run focuses on having fun rather than speed,[7] and therefore is not timed.[8] The Color Run began in 2011 with 50 events in the United States of America.[9] In 2012, 600,000 people participated in The Color Run events, with more than 60% of them being first time 5K runners. [10] RunningUSA.org reports organizers are projecting over 1 million participants at 100 plus events in 2013. [11] As of February 2013, The Color Run holds over 100 events in the US, Canada, Brazil and Australia [12] The Color Run advertises itself as a celebration of happiness, healthiness, individuality and community.[13] In February 2013 The Color Run and IMG Worldwide, a global sports and media company signed a multi-year partnership to expand The Color Run to countries in Europe and Asia.[14]

Before the Race

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Before race day, participants nicknamed "color runners"[15] must complete registration costing anywhere from $35-$50 depending on when one registers and if they are running solo or in a group.[16]

Registration Price Information[17]
Early Registration 3 Months before Race Day Race Day
Solo runner/walker $40 $45 $50
Group runner/walker $35 $40 $45

10 days before race day registered color runners are emailed the dates, locations and times of what they call "packet pick up parties" to receive race day materials ahead of time.[18] Each packet consists of a custom The Color Run race shirt, a tattoo, a bag of color, a race number, a "Color Runner" sweatband and various giveaways from sponsors.[19] Color runners also have the opportunity to purchase more color before and after the race to throw at one another.[20] The Color Run organization chooses a local charity to donate to in each city they visit, 60 local/national charities benefited in 2012. [21] Color runners can be anywhere from 2-80 years old[22] and children 5 years old and below run free.[23]

Race Day

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The Color Run only has one rule, to wear a white shirt on race day and prepare to be covered with color.[24] Those who are serious runners and want to run for a time are urged to show up early for the race in order to be in one of the lead packs even though The Color Run isn't timed.[25] A wave of runners takes off from the starting line every 15-20 minutes.[26] Runners begin the race as a sea of white and proceed to have a different color of corn starch powder thrown at them during each kilometer.[27] The Color Run uses blue, green, purple, pink, yellow and orange[28] food coloring mixed with corn starch making for a safe and natural powder.[29]This powder, however, can sometimes stain clothing.[30] Staff and volunteers are positioned at each color station at the beginning of each kilometer with 32oz mustard bottles and proceed to spray color runners as they go by.[31] If one runs in the middle of the lane they are likely to be doused with less color than those towards the outside. [32] The Color Run does have a walking lane for those who wish to use it.[33] At the end of the race color runners partake is what is called the finish festival consisting of food vendors, dancing, music and cleaning stations equipped with air blowers.[34] Also during the finish festival more color is thrown every 15 minutes to welcome new waves of runners as they complete the run.[35] Staff clean up after the race using vacuum trucks, brooms and power washers.[36]

Chevrolet Partnership

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In August of 2012 The Color Run and Chevrolet announced their partnership making the Chevrolet Spark subcompact car the official vehicle and pace car of The Color Run.[37] Chevrolet has also created a specially made Spark pace car that goes along with the artistic theme of the run, sporting a white background with a multicolor paint scheme.[38]

Refrences

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  1. ^ "The Color Run". LinkenIn. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  2. ^ "The Color Run Becomes Nation's Largest 5K Series" (Web). Running USA. April 1, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "The Color Run Becomes Nation's Largest 5K Series" (Web). Running USA. April 1, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  4. ^ "The Color Run Becomes Nation's Largest 5K Series" (Web). Running USA. April 1, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Donaldson, Amy (May 15, 2012). "The Color Run-The latest in a new wave of fun runs" (web). Deseret News. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  6. ^ Hallett, Vicky (April 1, 2013). "Really Chase Rainbows" (web). readexpress.com. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Taft, DeeDee (February 26. 2013). "IMG Worldwide and The Color Run(TM) Sign Multi-Year Agreement for Global Expansion" (Press). IMG Worldwide. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "The Color Run-About Us" (Web). The Color Run. 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ Taft, DeeDee (February 26. 2013). "IMG Worldwide and The Color Run(TM) Sign Multi-Year Agreement for Global Expansion" (Press). IMG Worldwide. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Hamilton, Michelle (February 13, 2013). "The Color Run Now Largest 5-K Series" (Web). Runner's World Running Times. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "The Color Run Becomes Nation's Largest 5K Series" (Web). Running USA. April 1, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Taft, DeeDee (February 26. 2013). "IMG Worldwide and The Color Run(TM) Sign Multi-Year Agreement for Global Expansion" (Press). IMG Worldwide. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "The Color Run Becomes Nation's Largest 5K Series" (Web). Running USA. April 1, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ Taft, DeeDee (February 26. 2013). "IMG Worldwide and The Color Run(TM) Sign Multi-Year Agreement for Global Expansion" (Press). IMG Worldwide. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "The Color Run Becomes Nation's Largest 5K Series" (Web). Running USA. April 1, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  16. ^ "The Color Run-About Us" (Web). The Color Run. 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "The Color Run-About Us" (Web). The Color Run. 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "The Color Run-About Us" (Web). The Color Run. 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ "The Color Run-About Us" (Web). The Color Run. 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ "The Color Run-About Us" (Web). The Color Run. 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "The Color Run Becomes Nation's Largest 5K Series" (Web). Running USA. April 1, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "The Color Run Becomes Nation's Largest 5K Series" (Web). Running USA. April 1, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "The Color Run-About Us" (Web). The Color Run. 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ Hallett, Vicky (April 1, 2013). "Really Chase Rainbows" (web). readexpress.com. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ Foley, Michele (March 19, 2013). "A 5K That Challenges You to Color Outside the Lines" (Web). Health News and Views. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  26. ^ Donaldson, Amy (May 15, 2012). "The Color Run-The latest in a new wave of fun runs" (Web). Deseret News. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  27. ^ Foley, Michele (March 19, 2013). "A 5K That Challenges You to Color Outside the Lines" (Web). Health News and Views. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  28. ^ Foley, Michele (March 19, 2013). "A 5K That Challenges You to Color Outside the Lines" (Web). Health News and Views. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  29. ^ Sifferlin, Alexandra (August 24, 2012). "The Color Run: For the Young-at-Heart" (Web). Time. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ Foley, Michele (March 19, 2013). "A 5K That Challenges You to Color Outside the Lines" (Web). Health News and Views. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  31. ^ Sifferlin, Alexandra (August 24, 2012). "The Color Run: For the Young-at-Heart" (Web). Time. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ Foley, Michele (March 19, 2013). "A 5K That Challenges You to Color Outside the Lines" (Web). Health News and Views. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  33. ^ Foley, Michele (March 19, 2013). "A 5K That Challenges You to Color Outside the Lines" (Web). Health News and Views. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  34. ^ Foley, Michele (March 19, 2013). "A 5K That Challenges You to Color Outside the Lines" (Web). Health News and Views. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  35. ^ "The Color Run-About Us" (Web). The Color Run. 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ Hallett, Vicky (April 1, 2013). "Really Chase Rainbows" (web). readexpress.com. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  37. ^ "Fit to be Dyed: Chevrolet Spark Suits Up for The Color Run(TM)" (Web). Market Watch. August 21, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ "Fit to be Dyed: Chevrolet Spark Suits Up for The Color Run(TM)" (Web). Market Watch. August 21, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
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