ST. GEORGE – Warm weather is finally coming around, and with it a big start to the race season. The Colorpalooza 5K drew hundreds of runners to the campus of Dixie State University Saturday in a colorful mix of running, celebrating and dancing.
Stemming from Hindu roots, color festivals have been adapted to a western idea of a good time, but still hold to the core principles of setting social norms aside, bringing people together on common ground, and commemorating the turn of the seasons. The color itself is a dyed cornstarch, so it’s a safe way to add color and spice up the 5K.
Participants arrived wearing a wide range of costumes and wigs, mostly white, for a brief moment of cleanliness before they set off on the course; only to return covered in color. Runners came in all ages and abilities.
After the race, music kept the energy up as more and more runners collected for a post-race color throw. Participants sent handfuls of their leftover color into the air and onto friends, in an all-out Colorpalooza celebration.
“It’s awesome, the kind of support we got out of the community,” Mike North, PulseMob Race Organizer, said. “It was unbelievable; we’re going to get some nice checks for the charities.”
Over 600 people attended the race and approximately 70 volunteers from various organizations came together to help. Funds raised by the race will benefit the Washington County School District, Intermountain Healthcare, DSU, the Health Dixie Council, and the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce.
If you missed this race and want to be in the loop for upcoming races, follow the STGnews RUNdown to find upcoming races this season.
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Colorpalooza 5K, Dixie State University, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Colorpalooza 5K, Dixie State University, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Colorpalooza 5K, Dixie State University, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Colorpalooza 5K, Dixie State University, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Colorpalooza 5K, Dixie State University, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Colorpalooza 5K, Dixie State University, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Colorpalooza 5K, Dixie State University, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Colorpalooza 5K, Dixie State University, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Colorpalooza 5K, Dixie State University, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Colorpalooza 5K, Dixie State University, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Colorpalooza 5K, Dixie State University, St. George, Utah, May 18, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
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Hello Chris,
Great photos. Glad you could capture all that too. Loved seeing our Brides too.They put their all into it.
fun galore.
Greetings from the IRISH supporters too.
Jo.