Jacksonville's Color Me Rad 5k....or ummm...10k???!-Sep 29, 2012

 

Color Me Rad is a nation-wide 5K event where you get to 'be the rainbow'! (showing up in all white, and leaving in a Rad tie dye kind of way!) The event takes place in several cities across the country and allows all ages and athletic abilities to participate (run or walk). This after all is a 'fun run' NOT a race! There are no clocks involved in the Fun!

 

BEFORE

AFTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jacksonville's event took place at the Equestrian Center and about 6,000 participants showed up to participate. The registration is a bit on the high side ($50). The 'goodie bag' included a free shirt (which is actually a pretty cool one), a Rad pair of sunglasses, 1 packet of Color (which is actually cornstarch, so its completely harmless), and a Rad tattoo!

 

Packet pick up was quick, but completely unorganized. I literally could have walked out with a souvenir shirt, extra colors, an extra race shirt, extra glasses without once being asked to pay. Good thing I am honest and paid for my items. It was all teenagers running the game, and nothing was double checked. Not even IDs to pick up your number. My friend went earlier than me and was given 1 bag of each color for free. When I showed up it was only 1 and they were charging $5 for 2 extra bags.

 

I have to give the coordinators props, as they warned us repeatedly through email and Facebook there was very limited parking and to arrive super early. I still dont understand though, if they knew there was parking problems, why didnt they incorporate a shuttle system?

 

My friend Vicki and I arrived over an hour and half early and were one of the first to arrive. My friend Rachel got stuck in the traffic. Well, let me reword that, got stuck in the STOPPED cars 3 miles out from the center! She ended up having to park on the side of the road, and walk/run with her baby and stroller!

 

There were about 3 waves that you could sign up for to start running, all about 5 minutes apart. After stressing out for over an hour waiting for Rachel, we decided we would run without her, not knowing if she would be able to run at all.

 

Luckily we finished our 3 miles (which seemed a little short for 3 miles), in time for Rachel to get to Start and we ran a second time with her!! We definitely did not expect to run 6 miles, but it was a LOT of fun!! The event coordinators made a good decision on keeping the event going until every one ran!!

 

Note to future runners....they sell the color bags cheaper ($1 each) at the event. Also, they have packet pick up there (they dont advertise this). Also, they give away FREE items (shirts, hats, colors) at the event, so dont buy until the very end! Also, get a bandana...this is not for the head, but for your FACE, as it is hard to breath when you run through the color clouds!

 

The course was what I thought it would be, with it being at an Equestrian center. Some paved, some flat dirt/grass, and then some really rocky, unstable, holey parts. But we, and the stroller survived!

  

 

The Pros?...

-they had REAL bathrooms being at the Equestrian center...so NO lines!

-The energy from the guy on the loudspeaker seemed to be high. (they had some contests while we were waiting to run).

-They gave away a lot of free items.

-They kept the party going even for the late runners, knowing there was a huge traffic issue.
-There were showers (a couple hoses) to clean off with (we ended up using the big sinks in the bathroom, thanks to the Equestrian center!)

 

The Cons?...

-only granola bars at the end.

-Only 1 water stop on course. (it was really HOT being FL, even being in the shade!).

-PARKING! Im not going to blame it on traffic. Be responsible and come early...but there seriously was not enough parking for them no matter what time they showed! Most people had to park on the side of the road and walk miles to the start!!

-Its really hard to breath when you are running through the color clouds (where the volunteers bomb you with color). Inhaling it through the nose and mouth leads to lots of colored spit and snot! LOL
-The last color cloud ran out of color for the late runners, but I guess thats what you get for being late!
-The color seems hard to come off. It does take a couple good scrubbings.
-I tried to 'preserve' my shirt. As suggested, soak in vinegar, then iron. However, the green color seems to take over and my shirt completely faded. Oh well.

The next one could be a pro or a con.... It seems on Facebook, they are offering a full refund for anyone that complains about most items. Seriously?

 

 

Overall, my friends and I had a RAD time! It was a lot of fun throwing the color at people. (this is the one chance you get to bomb complete strangers!) It was a fun party atmosphere with everyone enjoying themselves, as well as getting in some exercise for the day! I would do it again, but I think I will first try out the Neon Splash Dash!