The color run is touted as the happiest 5k on the planet. It is a run where you start wearing all white and end up looking like a rainbow. It sounded fun so I figured we'd try it!
Registration was easy, but I heard it sold out quick! Packet pickup wasn't terrible, but had I arrived even ten minutes later and it would have been a nightmare! The line was super long! They had a pre race pickup party. They had music and food trucks and people hanging out in the grass. We only waited in line for about 45 minutes to get our packets, but when I left, the line had more than tripled in size, so I imagine many people were waiting a long time for their packets.
While in line we weren't really able to participate in the pre race party, it was hard to hear the music and the food was on the other side, so we couldn't even browse potential menu items from the line. I was disappointed that there were no representatives from the color run, pumping us up in line! At one point someone came and handed out temporary tattoos that said "happy" on them. Which was cool, but they stopped right at the people behind us and the line was much much longer than that, in our 45 minute wait that was the only person we saw! Also, there was no representative from the run directing people where to go/where the line was, it was annoying because we as we got closer, we realized there were a lot of people skipping the line and cutting in, and the girls at the "gate" (front of the line into packet pickup area) didn't notice or care! Luckily it was only a 45 minute wait, for us! If you run the color run and go to a packet pickup party be prepared to wait, I don't know anyone who picked theirs up race day but I imagine it was a disaster, so I advise to go prior to race day!
On to race day! This was the most disorganized race I have ever ran or attended. I'm still unclear in where the start line was. I was signed up for the 9:00 am wave and we arrived to the actual color run starting area at 8:40, and they still had not finished setting up. Upon our arrival they were blowing up and moving the "start" arch. Everyone was herded into a parking lot at Camden Yards and we all hung out waiting for it to start! They had a stage with two people leading the crowd in warmups and music playing. Other than the two people on the stage we didn't see any color run staffers. I read on the website or in pre run packets that runners were to line up to the the left and walkers or those with strollers to the right. This did not happen on race day. It was just a giant mob of people.
I didn't see the race start or hear an announcement that the race was starting, it was 9:15 and I hadn't moved. Charlotte was getting antsy. She hates to be in her jogger and not move anywhere. I would suggest to the color run organization to work on the starting point. Or at least work out a way to make announcements to the crowd that can not see what is happening. We were told by others that they were letting people go in increments, but we didn't see that happening, and if it was it wasn't organized in any fashion. Another key of disorganization was there was no formal "check in" or anything indicating you were there for the 9:00 am race. We were given pink wrist bands at packet pick up and told only those with wrists bands would be allowed in the starting area and be able to run at 9:00, there was no one checking wrist bands so anyone and everyone could get into the start area, and I heard several ppl mention they were originally signed up for the 2:00 but wanted to go with friends earlier so they just came in. So that kind of sucked. Also of annoyance, everyone was bored of waiting and people started throwing their colors that were for the finish line.
Sooooo we were supposed to start at 9:00, and here it was 9:40 and no movement, we followed a crowd of people towards the back and saw the race in progress, and were directed into the race, we never went over the start line and I think we missed the first color location, but we finally made it onto the track!
The run itself was pretty fun! There were tons of people, they were running, jogging, walking, prancing, skipping and having a grand time! The first color we went to was blue. You go throw an inflatable arch into the color zone, on the sideline of the color zones are several people with squirt bottles who squirt color onto you, the color is reportedly corn starch. You keep running and go to other color zones. At the end, you are completely covered in all sorts of colors!
It was super fun on the track! Everyone had funny outfits and there was color everywhere. I've read other reviews of the color run and a lot of people complain about lack of color, I for one was covered. Additionally the color squirters were super friendly and careful not to squirt Charlotte! I had the cover down on the stroller for the most part but they were great about not getting her too crazy colored, plus some of the color squirters let me stop and have them put a little bit right on her which made her crack up!
The great thing about the color run was it was actually truly and honestly for any fitness level. Like I said people walked, pranced, skipped and ran. People stopped all throughout the course to take pictures. Little kids to older adults participated. It is not a timed event and the name of the game is FUN...and color, it was absolutely non pressure and people with really young kids or who were tired had easy access to cut the course short.
The course was easy and flat. It went through the two stadiums and parking lots. That part was disappointing for me; I really like races where I can explore the city from a different viewpoint! I did not use any GPS or anything to track the course, but many people I know did and reported it between 2.6 -2.9 miles, so not a true 5k. This didn't matter to me, it was supposed to be fun, and it was so who cares!
Overall, it was a little annoying it was so disorganized, and that I never even once saw a color run staffer (or race pictures for that matter!). If time and distance matter to you, than this is not the race for you. If you want to HAVE FUN than this is the race for you!
Like I said disorganization was annoying, but 12,500 people were running at 9:00 am so there is only so much you can do! We had a ball for sure and were COVERED in colored! Anyone who says they didn't get color simply didn't take advantage of the race, you could have as much or as little color as you wanted and that was awesome!
I do recommend this race. To anyone, of any age, any shape, any size! Anyone can finish it and it was a ton of fun! I say go for the atmosphere alone, it's hard to be in a bad mood when covered in color on a nice day outside!
Be prepared for long lines, lots of waiting, disorganization and don't expect to run a full 5k....but remind yourself: IT'S FOR FUN, and you will have a fantastic day out, lots of fun memories, and color on you for days (literally, it doesn't all come off be warned!!)
So go, run, and color your life :)
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