If you attended last year’s 5K Color Run then you remember what it felt like to Run For A Cause being 6ft apart. This year, it was our goal to have our annual 5K Color Run in person where anyone would be able to walk, jog or run for childhood wellness, TOGETHER!

“Returning to an in person event after 2020, made this year’s Color Run very special! It was awesome to see people of all ages participating and helping raise awareness for childhood health and wellbeing,” says Courtney Martinez, Color Run Coordinator.

THE CAUSE

This year’s race was special, and not just because of the awesome canon blasters, the yummy food vendors or the memorable photo booth, but because of the same reason that we all came together; our children’s health!

“The color run is more than just a run for me. Sure it’s a lot of fun, but the money raised is used to help families who may not have the resources or finances that others are blessed with. I ran for my son, who was born with a cleft lip, my niece, who has Down syndrome, and all the other children in our communities,” said Magali Valdez, Marketing Manager.

Participating at our 5K Color Run|Run For A Cause means showing your support to children with special needs, with disabilities, with birth defects and to the families who love and care for them.

“Even if you have healthy kids, it’s important to bring awareness, show support and help others” said Magali.

COLOR RUN

There were a total of 592 participants that registered for the run! The first finisher, Frank Lopez, crossed the finish line at 23 min and 32 seconds. That’s almost 7 minutes a mile! WOW!

After being blasted with color at the start of the race, there were 7 other paint stations you had to go through, including when you crossed the finish line. So if you thought you were going to get away with a clean colorless shirt, you were wrong!

We had some amazing vendors like Sips N Stuff, Cowpath Bakery, The Corndog Company and Conversatio Coffee all ready for our hungry and thirsty runners.

There were also some great activities like giant jenga, bocce ball and corn hole for the kids who had some extra energy.

Parents had the chance to meet with some of our health educators and learn more about Amerigroup, Coordinated Care and Molina at their booths.

THE FUNDS

“We raised over $47,000 this year with proceeds going back to the community to promote childhood health and wellbeing,” says Courtney.

A total of $15,000 is going back into the three communities that we serve. We have presented the Parks and Recs departments of Othello, Mattawa and Connell with checks of $5,000 to put into projects that they feel best promote childhood health.

$12,000 is being donated to seven families with children in need in our communities as well. And $8,000 is being sent to the Cure SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) Foundation.

“We had a very successful 2021 Color Run, and we want to thank everyone who attended, donated and volunteered. This event wouldn’t happen without all of you!” said Nieves Gomez, CEO.

Although we are still reliving some of this year’s moments, we can’t wait to start planning next year’s 5th annual 5k Color Run | Run For A Cause!