The Color Run Asheville (a review) #ColorRun #Happiest5k
This past weekend, I ran my first Color Run. (Not to be confused with any of the “color” races, which I’m sure are fun too.) This is the original paint race and I’ve been wanting to do one for so long! I signed up months ago – which was good since it sold out weeks before the race.
Carol and I picked up our packets on Thursday. Parking was tight. (We ended up paying at a meter.) But there was no wait in line and picking everything up was relatively seamless. I think the race shirts run a little big, but that was good for me because I’ve been in-between sizes for so long. (This one fits with room to spare.) We also decided to forgo any special costumes and wore our race shirt on race day.
They had their Color store on-site, and I knew they were going to have the store at the race start/finish. I was hoping to grab a t-shirt for my son, which I did for $10! The coolest part of the Color Run? They allowed kids and strollers at no extra charge. I’ve been wanting to run a race with my son, so I decided the week of the race that this could actually happen!
The race is not timed. There is a staggered start. And people are just HAPPY to be there. Walkers and runners alike. If you are looking for a serious PR/race, this is not the race for you.
We arrived at the check-in/start/party around 7:20 a.m. and the race start was between 8 and 9. There was no clear directions on where to go to line up, and there were two huge groups (lines?) that were trying to get into the starting chute. They were starting groups every 3-4 minutes. The starting chute had bubble machines going (which entertained my toddler) but it was SO incredibly crowded.
We met up with Julie (you should really read her race report. It’s great!) And I saw several other friends before the start.
It never really cleared up, either. Walkers/strollers were to stay to the right, with runners on the left. At one point, we were running faster than some of the runners (so I moved to the left .)
The first color station was early on – the blue station. This station did THE BEST job with the color. Other than one or two other stations, the other colors were somewhat lackluster.
My friend Ryan was a volunteer at the blue station. I’m not sure if all of the blue ever came out of his hair. (I grabbed this picture from his Instagram page. With his permission, of course.)
I liked seeing the clouds of color surrounding a couple of the stations.
Basically volunteers are spraying a colored powder at you. (The purple station was a liquid.) If you stick towards the middle, you won’t get as much color on you. You can also get closer to volunteers to get directly hit with color. Everyone was super great and didn’t directly hit my toddler. And I basically raced through most of the color stations to get him through without causing him to freak out. (He did NOT like the blue on him. Shortly after, he rubbed his eyes, and we had to stop to clean him up as best we could. He then kept his hands off his face, and his sunglasses on the rest of the 5k.)
I’m not sure if the 5k was a true 5k. I didn’t use my app to track anything. I happened to look at my phone at the start and finish, and we did it in about 38 minutes. My recent 5ks have been around 30 minutes and this time we had stations to run through and a stroller to push.
There were multiple water stations. They were all poorly planned. There was a lot of bottlenecking because there was only water on one side of the street and nobody could tell where the water really was (on the right.) If you’re going to have 7000 runners/walkers out – many of them new to the “sport” – then you need to be better organized with the start/finish and the water stations. Those were my only real complaints.
This race refers to itself as the Happiest 5k. It really was. The volunteers, the race staff, everyone was pretty awesome. I have some tips for folks thinking of running (but that’s for another post. This one is long enough!)
Have you ever run a Color Run? Will you do one (ever, or again?) I could see myself doing this again, especially knowing the start and how crazy things can get.
This looks like SOO much fun! I’ll have to register for the next Color Run in my area.
This looks like a lot of fun.I think it would be fun to get messy a long the way would not be so happy if I could not get it out of my hair though lol.
Looks like fun. this is one race I have always wanted to do.
Congrats on your run. Looks like some messy fun!
Great recap and Thank you for the shout out. We had a lot of fun too. I’m glad the boy had a good time…. I didn’t really like the blue paint either.
I agree the start needed more organization and I had forgotten how bad the water stations were. They were badly bottlenecked!
They do this run here in Boston, too. I have never participated, but it sounds fun.
fun stuff!!! I’ve done a couple different kinds of these races. the only way NOT to have fun is to take yourself too seriously (BTDT)
So sorry about the water stations. That can really cram a 5k. I usually stop only if I’m SUPER hot. Your little guys looks happy with his sunglasses on!
I love The Color Run! We did theirs last year! I signed up to do it again this year but just hurt my back, hoping I am better by then would hate to miss it!
This is really cool! I’ve never heard of a 5K that was kid friendly.
I’ve never done a Color Run, but want to, and will, eventually. It looks like so much fun!
Your friend Ryan seems blue! Ha, blue but not sad. Love how they make this event so fun!
Color Runs look like so much fun – I am checking when the 2015 run for area takes place
I’ve always thought the Color Run looked like a fun race! It’s great that you got to take your son.
These Color Runs look like a lot of fun! It’s disappointing that some of it wasn’t very well planned out. Hopefully if you do it again next year, you will have a better experience!
How fun! We are doing a color run next month!
How fun! I definitely want to do a colour run sometime. There are a few in Trinidad every year. The next one should be in October or November. I will definitely be in. š
I haven’t been in one but they seem like a ton of fun! I’m surprised that you didn’t get more color on you though š
I have to do this! I just have to. The color run looks like so much fun!
Wow it looks like you had some much fun. I pretty much doubt I can run 5k but I’ll have to try it someday after all is on my bucket list
Looks like you had a lot of fun! I’ve only ran in one 5K and there were so many people it wasn’t really enjoyable.
I’ve been seeing people talk about these color runs for a while now and they look like so much fun! I think I am going to have to check them out the next time they’re in my town!
I really want to do a colour run! It looks like such a blast.
I ran the ColorVibe this year- it is very similar. I loved it! It was such a fun experience. I wonder if there is a Color Run near me. I would totally sign up for that too!
Blue def. did do great with the color. And that’s a fun picture too (giving all new meaning to Blue Man group). š Sorry to hear the other colors were weak!
I have one of these runs on my bucket list. It seems like such a fun time!
Last fall we did the Color Vibe. It was a lot of fun. Not sure if we will do it again next year. I want to do the inflatable run and the glow in the dark one. So fun.
Looks like so much fun! I’ve done one color run and I’m looking forward to more. I like the “light on competitiveness/heavy on the fun” aspect. And I LOVED the “go everyone” sign!
Happy Running!
Jill
The stranger was the best! (And I loved that he was from The Orange Peel, my favorite music venue in Asheville.)
This sounds like so much fun! We had one here on the Central Coast that was a blast!
They have a color run in Atlanta! I have always wanted to run or volunteer!
I love seeing the pics from this run. it’s one of my favorite comfy tees!
These color runs look like so much fun! Such a great way to do something as a family too.
Color Runs are everywhere right now! Everyone looks so happy when they are done – love it!
I would love to do a color run. We have a night one coming up in Kansas City.
Looks lik you had a great run. I really want to do a color run sometime.
There is a color run similar to this that is held near my town and my daughter was wanting to go this year! It looks like so much fun!
This looks like such a fun event! We have a color run here once a year and I always love looking at the photos that my friends put on Facebook when they participate.
This looks like so much fun. I’m adding it to my bucket list.
This looks like so much fun! I want to do the color run, I would even bring my boys with me. HA looks like everyone was tickled pink! LOL
This looks like so much fun! I’d love to be a part of this race!
I did this race last year & it was a good time! not one I care to do again for myself (but would join a friend for their first) b/c of all.the. people. but it was a fun experience.
This sounds like such a fun experience. I want to get in shape and run in one š
Sometimes I wish I enjoyed running – my friends all seem to love their 5ks and things, but I just can’t get into it. I’ll spectate and cheer though! š
I love fun runs like this!! You are brave for pushing a stroller through! I’d worry it would ruin my stroller!
Congrats on your first run!!! I love that Color Run allows kids to participate and learn that physical activity can be super fun.
Congrats! A color run is always fun, we did one here a few years back to support our local Library Arts Center!