In recent years, hosting a Color Run has blown up and is one of the most exciting and engaging races casual runners to racing enthusiasts can enter. It’s unlike similar events in that there’s often no winner and no clock to beat. Instead, a Color Run is for pure enjoyment only — and maybe some amazingly colorful selfies and group shots after the race is over!
A Color Run might be the perfect event to add to your community, company, or organization. The following tips can help you get it going.
What Is a Color Run?
A Color Run is typically a 5k event. People usually run during a Color Run, but some walk or jog the event’s length because it’s untimed. Some Color Runs are also designed for kids, with shorter distances and easier pathways.
During a Color Run, color powder gets sprayed on participants throughout the run, usually at each kilometer marker or spaced out evenly through the course. Participants wear all-white clothing that turns radiant shades of blue, pink, yellow, and other eye-catching colors, and sunglasses to protect their eyes from the powder. Most Color Runs keep a different color powder at each color station.
A Color Run can simply be used as a fun community event or a fundraiser. Businesses and organizations may host Color Runs for their employees as a fun bonding experience.
The Basics of Organizing A Color Run
To organize a Color Run, it’s important to know:
- How many people plan to attend, and
- The specifics of the course
To get the most accurate number of participants, you can create an online sign-up form through your website, email, or a Google Form. Even if the event is free, pre-registration ensures that you have a headcount of how many people to expect. You can always open limited spots for event-day registrations, too, but make sure to add that number to your pre-registration total. You’ll need to know how many people attend so you can order the right amount of color run powder.
Gather as many specifics about your course as you can before organizing the event. How long is it? Where does it go? Will it loop back to the start or end in a different location? This information will help you determine where to set up the stations and how much color powder you’ll need to make sure each participant gets colored.
You’ll also need to check with local regulations about shutting down the area and having police present, if necessary, to direct traffic and offer security. You may need the help for large events, especially.
If you want to raise money from your Color Run, you should give all participants plenty of time to find sponsors. Start marketing your event at least two months ahead of time and send reminders to your participants via email or text.
Making The Most of Your Color Run
Ensuring that every participant has the best time possible at your Color Run boils down to preparation. Here are a few things you can do to make your Color Run the talk of the town:
- Make sure everyone wears white. Note this in your pre-registration forms and event notices to spread the word.
- Hire a photographer or two. They can get professional action shots of the event for you to share on your website, social media channels, or with the local newspaper.
- On a similar note, consider having photo-ops available at stations or at the start/finish lines for participants to have a little fun with their own groups.
- Have a group warm-up before the run. Someone can lead a fun warm-up to make sure everyone is ready to walk and run.
- Get a DJ at the start and finishing lines. Pump everyone up and get them excited for what’s to come!
- A color toss can be an excellent way to signal the start of the event. Give everyone a color packet of their own and count them down from 10. When they get to 0, they can each spray their packet, giving everyone a splash of color before heading off on the race.
- Consider making it a fun-filled, all-day event. Depending on how big you want to go, you might have merchant and food vendors set up or activities for families with kids to have fun with.
Using Color Powder Safely
Color powder is a substance that’s usually made from food-grade ingredients. When thrown on Color Run participants, the powder creates a colorful cloud that spreads quickly, making for a vibrant display at a Color Run event. Although color powder is designed to be safe when tossed on individuals, it’s still important to ensure all Color Run participants’ safety.
First, encourage your participants to wear sunglasses or goggles to protect their eyes from powder dust, which can irritate the eyes. Also, avoid throwing powder directly at participants’ faces. Instead, instruct anyone releasing the color powder to aim for white clothing.
Finally, instruct participants to avoid breathing in the powder. It’s a good idea to have towels and some water ready at each color station just in case someone gets powder in their face. Go over these safety tips publicly before the Color Run begins.
Where Can I Buy Color Powder?
Color Powder Supply Co. is a leading supplier of color powder for your Color Run. Whether you need several color powder packets for your Color Run or you need color powder accessories, like squeeze bottles or extinguishers, Color Powder Supply Co. has everything you need to make your Color Run a success.
We can also help you out with a bulk order. Get a quote by filling out the online form and telling us about your needs. We also have discounts available and free shipping for orders over $50 to help you save money on your upcoming event.
How Much Color Powder Will I Need?
How much color powder you’ll need for your event depends on how many stations and participants you plan to have. Most Color Runs have at least three color stations. Plan to have about a ½-pound of color powder per participant for three stations. For a larger event with five or six stations, shoot for one pound of powder per participant.
Remember to figure in extra packets of powder if you want each participant to kick off the race with their own color packets for your countdown.
Color Run Aftermath: Cleaning Up
Color powder is surprisingly easy to clean up, which is good news for the event organizer charged with tidying up the area after the race. Powder from the Color Powder Supply Co. comes from all-natural ingredients and cleans off most surfaces by dry sweeping or spraying with water. Still, it’s a good idea to remind your participants not to wear any expensive clothing or shoes that they don’t want to ruin, as some materials may hold onto colors.
Remember to check with local laws to make sure your event works within regulations. When you’re ready to order the color powder for your event, check out our color powder products and accessories to help you make it a success.
10 Responses
We would like to plan a color run for our elementary jog-a-thon. We have about 500 students. Can you please contact me to discuss cost and what we would need to make it successful? I also have questions about cleanup on a track and if it would stain. Thank you so much.
Your event’s success is our success! We look forward helping you in every step of the way.
Cleaning from sidewalks, parking lots, grass fields, metal bleachers, and most other outdoor surfaces is very easy. If left alone, it will go away from exposure to the natural elements in a week or so. For immediate cleanup, disperse into the air with a leaf blower, and then hose down any remaining color powder from there
We are always here to help you with your event’s planning. Please contact us herefor more assistance.
In the planning stage of planning a color run for about 500 participants and would like for now prices for the color packets.
Hi Cordelia,
You can find current prices on our shopping pages. Here’s a link to the packets: https://www.colorpowdersupply.com/color-powder-packets/
I am having 10 stations for adults and then a mini course for kids. You suggest one pound per person per color/station?
As a general rule of thumb, 0.5 – 1lb per participant is a good amount for most events. For more specific calculations, please use our color event powder calculator here
How do you spray the powder during the event? Do you use some kind of sprayer or gun?
The two most popular ways of throwing color powder during an event are Dixie cups or squeeze bottles. You can dip your cup into the powder, fill it up, and toss it into the air for the Dixie cup method. However, squeeze bottles have become more popular for their easy handling. Squeeze bottles are easy to use. You point and squeeze. Several customers have reported that it is easier to use, direct it to the runners, and it is less wasteful. You may find some more information here
I am interested in finding out more information on doing a Color run to raise money to send vets to Washington DC through the national honor flight. Can you please contact me with information on purchasing color.
Hello Kelly,
We love to put the “color” in any fundraising events and what better way to help out by assisting you at your event! We can definitely guide you on how to host your event. Please check out our fundraising blog here
For more information, you can contact us at [email protected].