Ypsilanti Color Run: Party atmosphere overtakes city as 15,000 dash through streets
Participants get doused with color during The Color Run in Ypsilanti Saturday.
Daniel J. Brenner | AnnArbor.com
- Related: Images from The Color Run Ypsilanti
Bonnie and Ed Penet watched Saturday morning as people of all shapes and sizes doused in a kaleidoscope of colors crossed the finish line at The Color Run in Ypsilanti.
The Penets didn't have to go far. The run ends in Riverside Park, a stone's throw from their home.
"Last year our house was pink, and this year it will be blue," said Bonnie Penet with a smile. "This run is great for morale and for businesses."
Smiles were abundant just about everywhere in Ypsilanti Saturday as the city was awash with color and abuzz with people enjoying The Color Run. This was the second year for the event, which drew an estimated 15,000 participants and an untold number of spectators.
Parking spaces were almost nonexistent, but that was of little consequence. It was a day for walking and running, and the mood was definitely upbeat.
Runners celebrate in Riverside Park after The Color Run in Ypsilanti Saturday.
Runners were treated to music, food vendors, and a very festive atmosphere.
Runners must wear white shirts at the start of the race and must be covered in colors by the end of the 5K course. Each kilometer has a designated color, and runners got blitzed with colors by volunteers as they ran through various color run zones.
"This was just an enjoyable run," said participant Hadear Miho from Farmington.
"You get good exercise and can dress up," said Emily Malinowski, a participant from Northville, who said she plans to do it again next year.
So does a trio of tutu-wearing. Jen Peruski of Midland, Amber Rimkus of St. Claire Shores and TIna Dzikowski of Eastpointe said the event was awesome and added color to their day.
"You've got to have fun in life," said Rimkus.
Spectators also got in on the fun. "I"m here to support a friend who's running," said Sharon Maxfield from Northville, who was literally supporting her friend's baby on her back and her own baby in front.
Robert Schamberger was poised with his camera waiting for his wife to run by. They came to the race from Adrian along with sons Jacob, 7, and Luke, 2.
At its Ypsilanti debut last year, The Color Run brought in close to $2 million in visitor spending, said Debbie Locke-Daniel, executive director of the Ypsilanti Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
"We have the same number of runners this year, but we think it's bigger because we're pushing harder and offering specials at restaurants," said Locke-Daniel. "We estimate about 1,200 hotel room nights from visitors coming from more than 100 miles away."
Many of the city's businesses opened earlier than usual. Among them was the Tower Inn Cafe on Cross Street.
"Business is good for a Saturday morning," said employee Matt Tatosky. "So far today I haven't had a table that hasn't ordered beer."
At the Ugly Mug Cafe on Cross Street, there was a line to the door all morning.
"We're selling a lot of coffee, water, and bagel sandwiches," said general manager Eric Mullins. "We would push for doing more stuff like this"
Race participant Oren Sagher from Ann Arbor had just one complaint. "I just wish the race were longer," he said. "I hardly had time to warm up!"
Lisa Carolin is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com. Contact the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
Ann English
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 11:38 p.m.
I wonder how young the youngest runner was? With the mention of a Northville woman coming to watch over a friend's baby while that friend ran, I was reminded of the Dexter Tornado Run, where one friend did it for another. But a 3-year-old she watched eventually ran in that race. His father organized that race. With THIS kind of race, you can't have anyone reacting badly to being pelted, or scared of it. For a run over 2 miles long, I expect that the youngest runners were teenagers.But the video did show some people walking, not running. Because the run wasn't timed.
Ann English
Mon, May 13, 2013 : 11:57 a.m.
In the video, there was a boy who definitely looked 12 or younger, and apparently riding something. He was wearing swim goggles, a sure way of keeping airborne particles out of his eyes.
JRW
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 5:47 p.m.
Toxic colored powders mixed with cornstarch are toxic to breathe. The cornstarch does not make the colored powders safe to breathe. Who clean up the mess?
Ann English
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 11:21 p.m.
With comments from some of the runners themselves, I'm convinced that the airborne colored powder didn't cause any runners breathing problems. But I still think the airborne powder could easily have caused great discomfort for contact lens wearers; I know airborne dust outdoors does, even if it doesn't interfere with breathing at all. So there WAS food used in the powder; I thought of turmeric when I saw the yellow powder; it made the people as bright yellow as turmeric turns the food it's mixed with bright yellow. I'm glad it was some food of less nutritional value than turmeric that got used to make the powder. A tutu wearer named Amber in the run would be assumed to wear bright yellow. Perhaps she does appear in the video.
Citywatch
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 3:44 p.m.
I count 6 guys that you can see in the picture above. I agree this is a good event for Ypsilanti to host. There needs to be more clarity about parking, but other than that a win, win situation except I wish the charities got more money from it.
Ren Farley
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 3:34 p.m.
The Color Run in Ypsi was fun but the course was short. I suspect it was about 4.6K. I am glad to see that someone measured it at 2.;75 miles.
Michael
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 12:53 p.m.
The City did a terrible job at telling residents who live inside the confines of the closed off streets how they were supposed to be able to get out. There were numerous residents driving back and forth on the streets trying to find a way to get out, but the police didn't seem to care that people were trying to get to work, class, etc. Finally, after waiting for 20 minutes at the intersection of Adams and Michigan, and with pleading to the police officers, they started moving the barricades so that we could get out, all while screaming at us that we were moving too slow. Very poor planning on the City's behalf.
Murf
Mon, May 13, 2013 : 1:44 p.m.
This happens during at least the Heritage Festival parade too. They blocked off a street right where it intersects with a one way street so the only option was to a) go the wrong way on a one way street in which they then yelled at you if you attempted (although some managed to do it) or b) do a complete turn around which was hard to do with on street parking. There needs to be better people organizing the street closures during such events.
Matt
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 12:24 p.m.
The color run has the potential to be a great event, however, the blocking of all of the streets running through town from east to west creates a serious public safety issue! There should be at least one available route through town...
Carole
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 11:40 a.m.
Wonderful, marvelous and hip hip hooray. What a fun-fulled day for folks in the Ypsilanti area. Truly hope you can do it again next year.
In doubt
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 2:05 a.m.
It is great to see such an event in Ypsi and I am glad everyone enjoyed it so much. The only concern I have is that inhaling that powder doesn't seem quite healthy!
brian
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 11:46 p.m.
We need more of this in Ypsi. I love my town.
huh7891
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 11:37 p.m.
Purpose?
EyeHeartA2
Sun, May 12, 2013 : midnight
To give people something to complain about. Seems to have worked beyond anyone's wildest expectations.
cricketrunner
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 10:42 p.m.
It was a great event. So fun to see people of all ages and fitness levels out doing something healthy...and having a total blast at the same time! My only complaint is that if it's going to be advertised as a 5K then it should be at least 3 miles. My Garmin had the run at only 2.75 miles. I look forward to running this again next year!
brian
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 11:47 p.m.
Your lucky that you can make it 3.75 miles, I think I would have fallen at the .75 mark.
Homeland Conspiracy
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 10:27 p.m.
What is this "power" made of? I see no one with mask on. Last thing I want to do is snort colored power
Homeland Conspiracy
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 4:38 p.m.
Oh ok...thanx
cricketrunner
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 10:40 p.m.
Corn starch.
Homeland Conspiracy
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 10:29 p.m.
*a
whatsupwithMI
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 10:16 p.m.
Ann Arbor kicked this event out on no notice last year. Must have been due to the word "color" in the event title!
Dirty Mouth
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 9:46 p.m.
Interesting. The Ypsilanti Color Run is probably one of the best things to happen and all that people can do is complain?
TinyArtist
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 1:27 p.m.
Not everyone complains, so quit bellyaching.
Dog Guy
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 7:36 p.m.
If a Holi Cow completed the Ypsi Color Run, would it then be a motley floral moomoo?
sdrawkcabsiispy
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 5:20 p.m.
Anyone have more information about the fire that closed Sidetracks today? I don't expect this lousy blog to report anything about it, I'm guessing they don't even know they had a fire today.
Solitude
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 8:08 p.m.
How disappointing for Linda French, to have to close for the whole day that early, on what was expected to be the best day of the year for them, as it was last year.
Cindy Heflin
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 7:24 p.m.
A broken belt set off the sprinklers. Here is the article about what happened: http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti/sidetrack-in-ypsilanti-set-to-reopen-for-dinner-after-sprinklers-drench-kitchen/ Do hope your day improves sdrawkcabsiispy.
Solitude
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 6:57 p.m.
I heard it was a small fire in the kitchen, but if this is such lousy blog, you should probably go find out for yourself.
Paula Gardner
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 6:37 p.m.
We hear it wasn't a fire, but since you and others may be curious about the reason for the closing, we'll do a post shortly. Thanks for reading!
Susie Q
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 5:06 p.m.
I am curious as to the origin of the idea for a Color Run. I believe there is a Hindu or Indian holiday that I think is called Holi, during which participants throw colored powder on each other....it seems to be a joyous, fun day that everyone, young and old enjoys. Does this have anything to do with it?
Susie Q
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 6:34 p.m.
Thanks very much for the info. I think it is a great idea. Holi sounds like fun, too.
Solitude
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 6:22 p.m.
"What is the inspiration behind The Color Run™? The Color Run 5k is the first paint race of its kind and was inspired by several awesome events, including Disney's World of Color, Paint Parties, Mud Runs, and Festivals throughout the world such as Holi. We wanted to create a less stressful and untimed running environment that is more about health and happiness!" From www.thecolorrun.com, the FAQ page. The site takes a bit to load, so be patient.
obviouscomment
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 5:38 p.m.
I kind of remember an article a while ago about the color run that said the idea did come from the Indian holiday.
trespass
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 4:48 p.m.
I spent 45 minutes trying to find a way around all the blocked streets and traffic jams. The police could not even help me find an alternative route. Who approves an event without a plan to handle the traffic? There were no detour signs or even warnings that the traffic was blocked up ahead. If their going to do this type of thing again they need to have a traffic plan.
Murf
Mon, May 13, 2013 : 1:42 p.m.
This happens during at least the Heritage Festival parade too. They blocked off a street right where it intersects with a one way street so the only option was to a) go the wrong way on a one way street in which they then yelled at you if you attempted (although some managed to do it) or b) do a complete turn around which was hard to do with on street parking. There needs to be better people organizing the street closures during such events.
Michael
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 1:02 p.m.
Same here. Myself and my roommate had a class at EMU Livonia that we needed to get to and there were others who worked in areas outside Ypsi that needed to get out and the police completely ignored us for a good 20 minutes. They finally realized how many cars were starting to pile up trying to get out, so they actually let us through. It makes me really upset that the people involved with planning this event completely ignored this glaring issue.
grimmk
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 8:25 a.m.
It took me 45 minutes too. It was horrible. No one knew which lanes were open or what was going on. People were trying to jump the line and turn around mid-one-way-street. Could they pick a less popular route? Some warnings? I had just gotten off work and I wanted to be HOME and go to bed. Next time these runners should obey more of the pedestrian laws as well.
YpsiGreen
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 3:08 a.m.
I can concur. Last year it took me 30 minutes to try and get around the mess of street closures. It was not planned well last year; why should it be any different this year? Must have been planned by the same people who "organized" last year's Ann Arbor marathon...(another logistical nightmare.) This year I didnt even try to leave the house.
widmer
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 1:29 a.m.
45 minutes? Do you moonwalk around town?
brian
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 11:52 p.m.
I doubt very much it took you 45 minutes to make your way around the blocked streets. If your going to complain at least be honest.
whatsupwithMI
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 10:20 p.m.
my employer told me precisely which streets would be closed, days ahead of the event.
Billy
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 4:39 p.m.
Is it me....or is there all of two guys in that picture up top? I kinda thought the color run would be more diverse...
TinyArtist
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 1:18 p.m.
If it's you, you must be a double wide.
YpsiGreen
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 3:15 a.m.
Women got free makeup samples. ;-)
brian
Sun, May 12, 2013 : 12:32 a.m.
You want to see guys? I myself want to see women.
cricketrunner
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 10:38 p.m.
Yes, the women outnumbered the men, but there were a lot of guys too. Fun for all.
obviouscomment
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 5:37 p.m.
I see possibly 3, 2 of which are kinda tall, but I'm sure there were more men...it's kinda hard to tell with all the chalk
zanzerbar
Sat, May 11, 2013 : 4:31 p.m.
I am just thrilled the run was held in Ypsilanti.....for the second year. Seems everyone is having a good time and it is good for Ypsilanti business. Come on back now, you here.