Yes, I run marathons and races of most distances.
Yes, many have themes to them….
In addition to themes celebrating holidays or nationalities, or those for charitable causes, one popular theme for races is music — I’ve run various rock and roll marathons, as well as the Jackson Mississipi Blues Marathon and the Nashville Country Music Marathon.
I’ve also run some rather silly themed races such as the Hatfield and McCoy Marathon, (in a West Virginia town where the decendants of those two families actually still reside), and I plan to run a marathon called Half Sauer- Half Kraut, which apparently is “everything” German, down to being Lederhosen-friendly. The marathon in New Orleans is always Mardi Gras themed, and hundreds of Elvises run the Las Vegas Marathon each year. The day before the Las Vegas Marathon, there’s always the Great Santa Run – a 5K fun run which turns the Vegas streets into a sea of of thousands of Santas.
Some themes go just too far for me. Just as I can never imagine why games such as Skirmish and Paintball exist, I cannot imagine partaking in a mud race. Crawling, slipping and sliding though mud is just not something I’m interested in doing on purpose – though others think its the greatest fun known to mankind. I guess I’m more the ocassional tiara or tutu kind of girl; when it comes to the mud-thang, I’ll pass, thank you very much.
Yesterday, I learned of the Color Run. It is yet another themed race – where the participants get splashed with color substances as they run. Wow. Weird? I cannot imagine. But apparently it is very popular, with races in 30 US cities in 2012, many of which are sold out, despite fees of around $50 per person. I surveyed a bunch of people, and some were just as perplexed as I was, while others said it was a lot of fun. In defense of the Color Run, any event that is fun and gets people exercising is beneficial.
According to the website:
What is the Color Run?The Color Run is a one of a kind experience that is less about speed and more about enjoying a color crazy day with your friends and family. Our events, are all about people of all different speeds, ages, shapes, and sizes toeing the start line. Whether you are a casual morning mall walker or an Olympic athlete, the 3 miles of the Color Run course will be the most enjoyable real estate you’ve traveled in a VERY long time. You will love this Color Dash of fun!
How does it work?The Color Run pretty much has 2 SIMPLE rules. 1. White shirts (any mostly white T will work great) mandatory at the start line and 2. Color plastered EVERYTHING at the finish! Runner/walkers begin the 5k at the start line like a brand new pristine coloring book, they end looking like they fell into a Willy Wonka… tie dyed… vat of colored goodness.
What is the Color?Each kilometer of the event is associated with a designated color. 1k is yellow, 2k is blue, 3k is green, 4k is pink, and the 5k finish is a “Color Extravaganza.” As the runners/walkers hit the Kilometer COLOR RUN Zones, they will be blitzed by our volunteers, sponsors, and staff with COLOR. The color is a special “elf made” recipe of magical color dust. All products are 100% natural and safe. You can eat the stuff if you’d like (we have tried it and don’t suggest it, it is surprisingly high in calories and leaves a chalky aftertaste). See the diagram below for the COLOR RUN ZONE specifics:
Personally, I have no desire to be “blitzed” with COLOR, but perhaps that’s just me. Would you participate in a Color Run — or have you participated in a Color Run (and, if so did you like it)? I would love to hear from you on this, or on any other themed sports events.
As I sit here scratching my head, I keep wondering if there’s some deeper esotheric value or meaning to the event. Like you are the canvas of your life? And then I wonder, what would Jackson Pollack have to say about this?
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A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
I won’t do a color run, simply because everyone I know who has done one has reported their to be color, but no real run. Call me crazy, but if I sign up for a run, I want to run.
However, I LOVE mud runs- and even wear my Team Sparkle skirt during them! I’d wear a tiara, too, if I had one. Tough Mudder is my favorite so far- the Spartan sprint was fun, but not as mad crazy as the Mudder. Which is why in 8 days, we’re doing another.
Hi Kathy:
Looks like fun and makes for heavenly photos!
Enjoyed the post,
Kristi
My wife and daughter are doing a color run this Saturday (Cleveland), I don’t get it either. I am not a neat freak, but I hate getting messy as well. I also would never do a “Mud run”. Trail run maybe.
I do like themed marathons though.
Marlin, if you like themed marathons – I’m running half sauer/half kraut – http://www.uberendurancesports.com/races.html – this weekend. it sounds UBER silly, but will probably be fun.
A friend just did the color run in Chicago and reported that it was more fun than run – she did it much slower than her training pace. I did the urbanathlon last year and had a blast. Definitely different from your standard 5k/10k/half marathon.
That sounds amazing! Please let us know if there’s one in NJ or NYC anytime soon =)