Alaska News

2013 Anchorage Color Run could be huge; city confident in preparations

On Saturday, thousands of people will pack the streets of downtown Anchorage, white T-shirts ready, looking for a little color. The Color Run -- only in its second year of existence -- is headed to Anchorage, and Alaska's version of the über-trendy, national race series is expected to be massive. Though it's unclear exactly how many people are signed up for the run, organizers say 15,000 people have registered, easily making it the largest race ever in Anchorage.

"We did not expect nearly as much participation as a city," said Municipality of Anchorage spokeswoman Lindsey Whitt. "Right now it's the biggest race in Anchorage history."

While it's billed as a "race," that term is loose. Participants can take on the 5-kilometer course at their own leisure. It's not timed, and people can either walk or run it, depending on their ability. Nixon said over half of all color runners are participating in their first five-kilometer race.

The main draw is the color element. At each kilometer, the race has a "color zone," where volunteers toss colored corn starch over competitors. Racers can come out looking tie-dyed and splatter painted, depending on how hard they hit the color. If that isn't enough, finishers get a chance to be doused again at the "color festival" finish area.

The race has exploded in recent years thanks to savvy peer-to-peer marketing. The race -- full of eye-catching, colorful photos and hip, easily shareable videos -- easily lends itself to social media. That's by design, according to race Spokeswoman Jessica Nixon.

"That's a big part as to why this grew so fast," she said. "It's such a visually aesthetic event."

In 2012, there were 50 races in the United States and three international races, drawing about 600,000 competitors total. Nixon said this year over a million people are expected to race in over 100 races both domestically and internationally.

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"It's just growing at just an exponential rate," Nixon said.

The Color Run is a for-profit company, though it partners with a local charity organization. For the Anchorage race the race has partnered with the Alaska Boys and Girls Club. Nixon said the company offers the non-profit advertising through the organization, as well as a part of the proceeds from the race.

How much will go to the local non-profit partner is unclear. Nixon said the amount varies, and didn't know how much the race would be donating to the organization. Messages left with the Alaska Boys and Girls Club were not immediately returned Wednesday afternoon.

Despite the large size of the race, the planning process has gone smoothly, Whitt said, noting that The Color Run is an organization used to handling large events. The organization is paying for Anchorage Police officers to handle traffic and has paid for use of the park strip.

"We're not concerned as a city," Whitt said of the race as a whole. "Along the way there's always challenges, and one of the things that we ran into is parking ... people will need to be shuttled into the Sullivan Arena."

Things to note:

• Registration is closed. Bib pick up is Thursday and Friday at The Sports Authority from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Bib pick-up will start at the Sullivan Arena start/finish on Saturday morning at 6 a.m., but participants are strongly encouraged to pick up their bibs beforehand.

• There is "very limited" parking at the Sullivan Arena for only handicapped, staff and families running with strollers. Shuttle services are available from downtown and south of the Sullivan arena from 6 a.m. to noon. See the race website for more details.

• The morning of the event at 7:30 a.m. Anchorage Police department will close streets to the race route. These road closures include A Street between Fireweed Lane and Eighth Avenue, as well as Ninth and 10th avenues between A and I streets around Delaney Park Strip.

• The race starts and ends at Sullivan Arena. The first waves of participants start at 8 a.m.

• While medics will be on-hand, those worried about inhaling the colored powder are encouraged to wear face masks.

• Volunteers are still needed. Those interested can register online.

Contact Suzanna Caldwell at suzanna(at)alaskadispatch.com

Suzanna Caldwell

Suzanna Caldwell is a former reporter for Alaska Dispatch News and Alaska Dispatch. She left the ADN in 2017.

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