February 2014 - Parks & Recreation - 55

Columbus Recreation and Parks

a sense of adventure in your hometown without having to travel. "
Color runs - in which white-clad
runners are covered by clouds of colored corn starch - add whimsy to
athleticism. The concept, inspired by
Holi (a Hindu spring festival of colors, in which celebrants throw colored
powder), offers a less competitive and
more lighthearted alternative to traditional races. Two popular organizers,
The Color Run and Color Me Rad 5K,
have brought their carefree 5K events
to communities across the country.
Columbus, Ohio, held its second annual Color Run in July 2013
when the city's recreation and parks
department partnered with race organizers to hold the run during the
annual Jazz & Rib Fest. More than
13,000 runners showed up for the 5K
dressed in white as volunteers tossed
colored corn starch - one color at
each checkpoint - at the runners
along the route. At the finish line, a
final color launch greeted runners before they entered the festival.
" It's a very upbeat, fun race - the
community has embraced the event, "
says Karen Wiser of the Columbus
Recreation and Parks Department's
special events office, who notes that
the Color Run has brought new financial opportunities to the Jazz & Rib
Fest. Since this race is not for profit,
the event receives a donation from the
race entry fees as well as a boost from
food and beverage sales bought by
thousands of participating runners. In
addition, many of those runners and
their supporters patronize area hotels,
restaurants, parking lots, shopping
and other local businesses.
For the Electric Run, held in more
than 30 locations in 2013, runners complete a night course with black lights,
glow sticks and colored lights. " It was
more of a younger crowd - and it was
extremely popular, " says Tryon, who
says some 1,000 people participated in

Themed races, such as this color run in Columbus, Ohio, offer unusual recreation experiences for participants and one-time revenue opportunities for agencies.

Challenge events and
themed races tend
to attract droves of
community members
who wouldn't normally
participate in recreation
events or leagues.
Charlotte, North Carolina's July race.
Other challenge events include biking courses or small-team activities
where participants compete in physical or mental challenges over an extended course.
Such challenge events have soared
in popularity because they're unique
and different from traditional races. While fun, " These can be pretty
chaotic - there's no saying what
the weather conditions are going to
be like, " says Tryon, who adds that,

for instance, some events may require
jumping into a lake.
Challenge events and themed
races tend to attract droves of community members who wouldn't
normally participate in recreation
events or leagues. " Challenge
events are bringing in a new population, " Tryon says. In many
cases, new participants come to
support the event's sponsor, such
as a breast cancer awareness foundation or a leukemia research organization. Other new participants
are able to spend a few hours one
Saturday, but can't commit to an
entire league or season.
" These are one-time events people can just show up for, " says Des
Moines-based recreation consultant
Teva Dawson. " These are community-building events - they're good for
physical health as well as our social
connectedness. "
Carrie Madren is a freelance writer in
northern Virginia (carrie.madren@gmail.com).

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February 2014 - Parks & Recreation

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