It seems like ages ago when we first heard that the Color Run - the world's happiest 5k was coming to Des Moines. So when the much anticipated event finally arrived on Saturday it had some pretty high expectations to meet. Unfortunately it was the coldest day of the fall so far - the high was only 45 degrees. But 27,000 people got all bundled up (well some were dumb and didn't) in as much white clothing as possible and headed down to the Capital to spend the afternoon going crazy!
Since there were so many people there plus because it was so cold, I was a little bit miserable waiting to get started. They were only releasing 1000 participants at a time onto the course and by they time we made it to the front of the line we were group 14 or 15. So yeah... we had to wait awhile. Once we got onto the course there were 4 stations spread out over the 3 miles and each station was a different color. Volunteers squirted a colored corn starch substance at the participants as they passed through each area.
Since there were so many people there plus because it was so cold, I was a little bit miserable waiting to get started. They were only releasing 1000 participants at a time onto the course and by they time we made it to the front of the line we were group 14 or 15. So yeah... we had to wait awhile. Once we got onto the course there were 4 stations spread out over the 3 miles and each station was a different color. Volunteers squirted a colored corn starch substance at the participants as they passed through each area.
We decided it would be more fun to walk the 5k and we also decided to make a small stop on the final stretch at Capital Pub and Hot Dogs. We were really hoping we could all get hot dogs but apparently they were out so we purchased a beer instead. We eventually made it to the finish line where they were through a huge color party.
And this is where it really got fun....When we picked up our race packets everyone was given a packet of color. They promised it was well worth it to hold on the packet until the end. It was a little difficult to be so patient (especially when we were just standing in the cold waiting to start) but it did end up being worth it. Everyone was standing in a big crowd and every 5-10 minutes they did a count down to release your color into the air. We all got completely drenched in color! It was great! Definitely the best part. We danced and went crazy and even did a conga line. Our group consensus is that instead of a 5k it would be more fun as a 1 mile fun run. That way it would be a constant color explosion. But overall we had a great time and can't wait for next year!
Here are my amateur photos from the event. Once the professional ones are posted I can share those too.
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Love it! Looks like so much fun and even if you walked (and stopped for beers lol) I'm still proud of you all for finishing ;) You got some great shots of the color in action! And the pic of Martinez near the end made me laugh out loud. Way to go, color runners! :)
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