COLUMBIA, S.C. (Wednesday, March 11, 2015) - The Columbia Regional Sports Council is pleased to announce The Color Run, the "Happiest 5k on the Planet," will return to Columbia with its 2015 Shine Tour on Saturday, March 28th at Finlay Park. The run will begin at 10 a.m. with waves of runners continuing through 10:45 a.m.
Now in its fourth year, The Color Run is the originator and innovator of the paint race genre and continually creates a unique experience for its runners. Last year, The Color Run took place in more than 50 countries and 240 cities around the world. From first time runners to professional athletes, this event serves as a celebration and capstone of healthy living accomplishments.
The 2015 Shine Tour, presented by ALCATEL ONETOUCH, introduces the all-new Sparkle Zone, as well as the addition of confetti cannons, shimmery clouds of color and glitter to the Finish Festival after the race. Runners will also receive a limited edition Shine Tour Participant Kit that includes a custom race t-shirt, gold finisher's medal, shiny tattoos, tri-color headband, classic color pack and brand-new shine powder packet.
"With the Shine Tour, we wanted to create an immersive and transformative experience beyond anything our runners have experienced with us so far," said Travis Snyder, founder of The Color Run. "The Shine Tour is the next generation of The Color Run and participants will be able to feel and visibly see themselves transform throughout each kilometer of the event."
Although The Color Run is a for-profit company, race organizers take the opportunity to partner with local charities to help shine a light on their amazing work in the community and highlight the causes they stand for. This year, The Color Run will once again partner with Girls on the Run and Historic Columbia.
"The Color Run's focus on health, happiness and fun aligns perfectly with our program's philosophy," said Mary Lohman, executive director of Girls on the Run. "The event is all about coming together as a community and experiencing the joy of making physical activity fun. We love the addition of glitter this year with the Shine Tour, because we spend every day encouraging girls to shine their joy, strength and confidence into the world."
The Color Run is one of the largest event series in the world and with 6,000 runners projected to participate, the run will have an estimated economic impact of nearly $190,000 on the Columbia region. Color Runners can take advantage of a special, discounted rate of $89/ night at the Clarion Downtown Hotel and rate of $119 / night at the host hotel, Staybridge Suites Columbia Downtown.
"Since their Columbia debut in 2013, we have enjoyed working with The Color Run. They bring such an energetic presence to our downtown streets and Finlay Park," said Grayson Hopp, Columbia Regional Sports Council sales manager. "Not only is this event something that our local community has really gotten behind, but we continue to see registrations from all ages across the state of South Carolina. This fun-filled event will once again bring thousands into downtown Columbia and we expect they will be easy to spot in our shops and restaurants!"
Registration is now open online for both individual runners and teams and participants can receive $5 off with coupon code SPORTSCOUNCIL. The check-in party will take place at Kohl's on Two Notch Road Friday, March 27th from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
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About The Color Run:
The Color Run is the largest event series in the United States and the first of its kind. Travis Snyder founded the 5k paint race event series in 2012, creating a new genre of running event. The Color Run celebrates healthiness, happiness and individuality, bringing the community together to create a five-kilometer canvas of colorful fun. To learn more about The Color Run, visit www.thecolorrun.com or watch this video.
About Girls on the Run:
At Girls on the Run, we help girls take charge of their lives and define the future on their terms. Our volunteer coaches teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5k running event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness. Check out www.GOTRcolumbia.org for more info.
About Historic Columbia:
In November 1961, a small group of individuals intent on saving the Ainsley Hall House from demolition officially incorporated as the Historic Columbia Foundation. Over the next five decades, the organization, which was founded on the premise of preservation and education, would take on the stewardship of seven historic properties in Richland County. Today, the organization serves as a model for local preservation efforts and interpretation of local history. Visit www.historicolumbia.org or find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more details.
About Columbia Regional Sports Council:
The mission of the Columbia Regional Sports Council is to strengthen the area's economy by marketing and selling Columbia, SC as a premier destination for sporting events, partnering with local sports organizations to grow and develop existing events and by recruiting new events that provide an economic benefit to the region by generating room nights, food and beverage sales and associated tax revenues. For more information, visit www.columbiasportscouncil.com.