#33 The Color Run

This was crazy.  This race is not timed and participants are released in waves due to the sheer number.  We enter the start "chute" where we wait (herded like cattle) for over 35 minutes before our group is released.  There are lots of directions.  Walkers to the right.  Runners to the left.  Why is anyone running through this?   It's not timed.  Whatever.

There are booths selling apparel for the run: white t-shirts, caps, mesh ballerina skirts, shorts, bodysuits, any white clothing that can be dyed through the race.

The objective is to get covered with tons of colored powder as you cross over various points throughout the course.  The first stop is RED.  We approach the red arch and are doused with red powder.  Jo and I are wearing masks so as not to inhale an abundance of this stuff. It is a zoo. 

We see the cloud of BLUE dust long before we see the blue arch. This time around, we are pros.  Masks on, we head into the fray.  We scoop up residue powder and slap hand prints on each other.  Some people have asked for the powder to be thrown into their face.  I choose to pass on that one.

By the time we reach the PURPLE zone,  people are rolling around in the powder dust, completely saturating their clothes.  Okay, I am not that hard core and realize that if I roll around in it, I may not get back up.  Keep moving.

Purple dust thick on the ground.  Glad I'm not on clean-up crew.

The route is in downtown Cincinnati's industrial park area, near Longworth Hall.  It is not scenic route by any stretch of the imagination and it is bizarre to see so many people behaving in such a goofy manner.  Lots of men in tutus.  
At the end of the race, each runner is given their very own personal packet of powdered dye for the after party.  I got RED.  We didn't stay for the dye fest, thus keeping the packet for a future date.  (Beware)

This race is a good time.  Lots of families.  Lots of goofy behavior.  One thing that isn't widely known is the fact that The Color Run is a FOR profit entity. They do partner with a variety of local charities (Cincinnati's charity was the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) but their focus isn't raising money, it's raising awareness.  Their website states that they allow the charity to speak at the event and the charity can provide the event with volunteers (yes, volunteers for a PROFIT event?), however their main goal isn't raising money for organization. The Color Run encourages participants to go to the charity's website to find out more about it.  While I am all for having a good time and well run events, it strikes me that they could use their power for good.  A lot more good than they do.