Darian RandolphThis past May, the inhabitants of Parkersburg flooded the streets covered in colored powder all for a good cause. The Color Me Fun Run, sponsored by the WV Credit Union, took place on May 28 and had over 700 locals either running or walking to help benefit the West Virginia Children’s Miracle Network. While the Color Me Fun Run is not to be confused as the Color Run, both events had the same goal in mind – raising awareness about a cause and having a great time doing it.
Photo by Steve Spencer
The goal of the original Color Run was doing an event to promote healthy and happy lifestyles. Since the beginning of the Color Run in 2011, other races such as the Color Me Fun Run have popped up in cities all across the nation and internationally as a way to help benefit local charities and businesses and their contributions to society.
2014’s Color Me Fun Run in Parkersburg had 700 people participate and raised almost $16,000 for West Virginia Children’s Miracle Network. The race started in downtown Parkersburg and went through key places around Parkersburg such as Market Street, the Historical District and the Bureau of Public Debt. Volunteers stood alongside the road to shower participants in color powder in all colors of the rainbow and handed out free water at the two water stations during the three mile race.
The volunteers and other members of the community cheered racers on as they crossed the finish line at Point Park. Kelly Martin, a walker in the event, said she enjoyed the race that Parkersburg hosted. “I enjoyed the evening walking with friends, getting a little dirty and seeing the community rally together to raise money for a good cause,” she said.
No plans have been officially announced for a Color Run next year, but for as successful as the past two runs there’s no doubt that Parkersburg likes to get down and dirty for charity.