The Color Run, also known as the ‘Happiest 5k on the Planet,’ celebrates healthiness, happiness, and individuality. Approximately 5% of Americans don’t like to jog to stay in shape. But trust me, this is the most fun you will ever have running three miles. For anyone who doesn’t know what The Color Run is, it is the largest event in the nation. It started with 50 runs and 600,000 people in January, 2012 and now in 2013, the mega event includes 100 runs and one million participants. Everyone wears all white because by the end of the race you are splattered in colorful sticky powder. At each kilometer there is a different color that you get to run through and volunteers throw flexed paint all over you. When you finally finish the 5k, drenched in color, you go to the “Finish Festival” which is basically like a concert with a DJ. Everyone dances, sings, and the DJs throw color packets into the audience so that every 10 minutes, everyone in the crowd throws their powdered color into the air.

“We call The Color Run the ‘Happiest 5k on the Planet’ because our events bring together friends and family in a unique, healthy, and fun environment,” said by Travis Snyder, the founder of The Color Run. Some people run in The Color Run just to have fun and not for a reason but other people participate as a celebration of their healthy living, to honor loved ones who passed or who are fighting. This event raises donations for more than 80 local and national charities. In 2013, they plan to donate at least $1 million.

You can be any age and you don’t have to be amazing at running. It includes first-time runners to pro athletes. You don’t have to worry about what time you get or what place you come in it’s all about being happy, being healthy, and being you. “If I have the chance I would definitely do it again,” said by Melissa Ehl, a WHS junior, who participated in the Brooklyn September 8 fun run. It’s an experience you will never forget and you are doing it for a great cause. “Most memorable and colorful run of your life.”