Community Invited to Share School Spirit at 5k Color Run

The flowers of spring are about to put on their brightest and best colors, and the community is invited to do the same at the annual Color Run in Calais. The event features several stations manned by volunteers that will throw powdered colors at participants, playfully covering them in a color of their choice. As has been the custom at the run, the colors are blue, purple, and orange – corresponding to the school colors of Calais, Woodland, and Shead.

This year’s run will be longer than it has been in previous years with a brand new 5k course that event committee member Toby Cole hopes will attract “more avid runners.” The extension of the course puts the Calais event in line with national Color Run events that draw crowds in cities all over the country. Youngsters will have the opportunity to tackle a shorter 1-mile challenge. Also unlike previous years, there will not be an obstacle course involved – just a wilderness trail winding through the back of the shared campuses of Calais Middle High School and Washington County Community College.

All of the funds raised from the event go toward a scholarship fund for local students from the associated schools to attend Washington County Community College. The event is organized each year by the joint MELMAC committee of Calais High School and St. Croix Regional Technical Center, along with WCCC.

All participants in the Color Run will receive a medal and a commemorative tee-shirt. Despite the name of the event, running is not required and those who wish to do so can walk the full length of the course and still receive plenty of coloration for their efforts. There will be a free barbecue cookout sponsored by WCCC for all participants following the run.

The powdered coloring that will be used is non-toxic and biodegradable. There will be a few stations throughout the course where volunteers will happily fling color at passersby if they wish it, and one big station at the end where the colors will really be flying.

If you’ve never been to the Color Run, this year’s event is a great time to come and share in a unique community festivity. The run will be held on Saturday, May 12th with registration starting at 9:30 a.m. and the run starting at 10:00. For more information, visit www.wccc.me.edu, the Calais School Department Facebook page, stop in at the Calais High School Main Office, or call 454-2591.