August 10, 2015 at 3:24 p.m.
Second annual Color Dash set for August 15
Event to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters
Second annual Color Dash set for August 15
Race organizers have a goal of 400 attendees participating in "The World's Brightest 5K."
What sets this race apart from others is the colored cornstarch racers are splashed with along the route.
"The excitement about it is the colors," said Wesley Escondo, CEO for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin.
Half of the funds raised will be invested locally with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters was recognized as non-profit of the year by the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce in 2014 in part for its Color Dash efforts.
Ticket sales and sponsors of the event worked together to raise nearly $9,000 last year, Escondo said.
This year's goal is to surpass the $10,000 mark. Fifty percent of that money will go to benefit the children of Oneida and Vilas counties, Escondo said.
Racers may pick up their packets, which include a white T-shirt, a Color Dash tattoo, dash bib and a color pack for the color explosion, at 8 a.m.
The race will start at 10 a.m.
The 5K course begins and ends at Mike Webster Stadium.
The course will take racers on track, field, city street and forest paths and by five color stations where they will be covered in the colored dust.
The color does come out of clothes and off skin, but it may take several washes. To keep color on clothes, spray them with vinegar and iron them. The color will lose some of its vibrancy after the clothes have been washed, according to the Color Dash website at www.thecolordash5k.com.
"The run was awesome. It's a 5K people can either run or walk in, with no time limit," participant Emily Sisel said after last year's run. "At every color station, everyone was so encouraging and energetic while covering you in colored chalk. Personally, my favorite part 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 the next checkpoint. Being covered in the colored chalk was very fun."
Sisel said it was exciting to have a color dash right here in Rhinelander.
"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," Sisel 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." Sisel added.
The social aspect of the event makes it more than just a run.
Avid participants in color run say they are full-fledged parties. Add that to the ability to contribute to a worthwhile cause and that's more than enough incentive for many to come out for the day.
"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. May 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." Sisel said.
An individual ticket is $40. The fee for a team with a minimum of four people is $35 per person.
The price for a family of three is $28.33 per person. A family of four can run for $25 per person.
The price for a family of five is $23 per person and for a family of six the cost is $21.66 per person.
Children five and under are free, but they do not get the race registration packets or T-shirts that are included with the ticket price of the other brackets.
Katie Perttunen may be reached at [email protected]
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