Over 1,200 participants and 200 volunteers are expected to participate this year in the DYE HARD 5K on Sunday, April 28, at 10 a.m. at the Clark County Fairgrounds in Springfield. The Dye Hard 5K is a race in which participants get showered with safe, eco-friendly, colored powder while running or walking the route. Plaques will be awarded for the overall top finishers, and medals will be given to the winners of each age group.
“The purpose of the event is for the participants to have fun!” said race coordinator Melissa Baker. “This is a really fun event for the Clark County community that everyone can participate in and celebrate every year.” Baker said the event was started because, “We want to bring awareness to our community about people living with an intellectual disability, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or a traumatic brain injury. Participants in the DyeHard 5K, show their support for some of our community’s most vulnerable citizens.”
Proceeds benefit the Developmental Disabilities Endowment Fund of the Springfield Foundation, a 501c3 organization. People with developmental disabilities participate in the Dye Hard 5K by walking and running, and by throwing color on the racers.
“While it is a race, a lot of people come and walk it just to have fun and play in the color,“ said Baker. “We have eleven color stations this year, plus a DJ to ramp up the party, food trucks including Khmericano Coffee, Whitter’s Wings, The Painted Pepper, and Kona Ice, and a photo booth. Plus at the start of the race everyone lines up for a color throw with all the different colors being thrown in the air.”
Registration is only $35 until April 21, and then $40 until race day. Groups of six or more can get a $6 discount per person. “It’s the cheapest color run available,” said Baker. The public can register for the race and get more information at tiny.cc/DH5K2019.