August 25, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.
Running with style: Color Dash adds pop to recreational running
Running with style: Color Dash adds pop to recreational running
The 5-kilometer race benefited the Northwoods branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and catered to families looking to get out and mix it up within the community. The course weaved around Rhinelander High School and runners were coated with colored powder as they reached various checkpoints.
It's a twist on an average 5K and that, for some, makes all the difference.
Jennifer Kasparek said this was the first time she's participated in this kind of race, and she really enjoyed herself.
"I like running," she said. "It's a great cause to run for too. It was really festive and that really made it worthwhile. I'd love to do something like this again."
The social aspect of the event makes it more than just a run. Instead, it's a full-fledged party. Add to that the ability to contribute to a worthy cause and that's more than enough incentive for many to come out for the day.
Emily Sisel ran the course and she said one of the best parts about the Color Dash was how inclusive it was.
"The run was awesome," she said. "It's a 5K that people can either walk or run in, with no time limit. At every color station, everyone was so encouraging and energetic while covering you in colored chalk. Personally, my favorite parts would have to be the color stations. Seeing those markers and the cloud dust of colored chalk was such a push and motivation to me to keep going and get to that next checkpoint. Being covered in the colored chalk was very fun."
Brenda Peltier ran with her family. That was her favorite part, although the sheer amount of participants may have distracted her kids from time to time.
"It's a fun family event," Peltier said. "My husband is a jogger and he's trying to motivate our kids. We have a 13-year-old and an 8-year-old, so we thought this would be a good event for us. Supposedly, you're supposed to do this as a family, but the kids saw this friend and that friend, and all of a sudden it's just us and the girls are out with their friends. It was our first run like this, but it's absolutely something we want to do again. We're already thinking about next year and how we can dress up. We might put a tutu on my husband."
The event was the first of its kind in the Rhinelander area. While the trend has been growing nationally, Northwoods residents haven't had the chance to take part. Sisel said it's about time.
"I have always been interested in events like this, but they're always in places that I would have to travel at least an hour or so for, so having one in my hometown was very exciting," she said. "For me, raising money, awareness, and participating in something that is known all over is why I decided to take part (in) it, and it was a blast. What appeals to me is the fact that we can get people from all over to come and participate in something so fun to do, and still be doing it for a great cause at the same time. Many people know about the Big Brothers Big Sisters foundation, and again, raising awareness of it in northern Wisconsin is very important, while doing it in such a fun way."
If this weekend's race was any indication, this will only be the first of its kind to make its way to Rhinelander. Sisel, like many others, said she'll be first in line the next time around.
"I would definitely continue to do runs like this in the future," she said. "I have been looking around at the next color run, actually. When you make something like the Big Brothers Big Sisters foundation raising money so fun, especially in a smaller community, it makes people more willing to come out and participate, donate and even sponsor. As long as they keep these going on, you bet I'll be at them."
Andy Hildebrand may be reached at [email protected].
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