Color run in Granville Saturday

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By Krystle S. Morey

This year’s “My School Color Run” is going to be twice as colorful as last year’s event, organizers said.

“This time, there’s a lot more color involved,” said race organizer Sondra Smith.

One hundred extra color packets and double the amount of color sprayers will be used, Smith said.

The Granville Central High School Spirit Club will host its second “My School Color Run” fundraiser on Saturday, May 21. During the race, participants will be doused with color.

The color walk/run includes a 1-mile non-timed fun run for children and a 3.1 mile (5k) course for all ages.

Participants will run through various color stations, ending with a color celebration at the finish line with music, food, and fun family activities to follow. The National Guard and Army will have a rock wall, basketball competition and bean bag toss set up. The National Guard will also supply goodie bags with T-shirts and water bottles.

The race begins behind the high school, near the staff parking lot, and ends at the school’s practice soccer fields across from Telescope. This is where awards for first place male and female, most colorful and last place will be distributed.

Smith said the Spirit Club didn’t want to do a traditional “let’s sell cookies or clothing” fundraiser, so it hosted its first color run fundraiser last November.

“It’s a fun, silly thing,” she said. “It’s not supposed to be a timed race, you can walk it or run it.”

Contestants are encouraged to wear costumes. Last year, Smith wore tall, colorful socks and a rainbow tutu.

“The weather is supposed to be perfect and it’s going to be a really fun day,” Smith said. “Who doesn’t want to be all dirty?”

Sometimes runners are sweating so much that all of the colors are blending together, Smith said.

“Most of them start off really clean … it’s great to see all of the color at the end,” she added.

For those worried about the mess, the color washes off easily afterwards, Smith said.

Registration for participants age 5 to 13 is $21. Those age 13 or older are charged $25. A family of four or more is asked to pay $23 per person. Children under 4 can participate for free.

Last year, more than 200 people participated in the race and more than $2,000 was raised. This year, with 80 already pre-registered, organizers are hoping for at least 100 participants. The Spirit Club’s goal is to raise more than $500 this year, part of which will be awarded to a senior at graduation.

Check-in begins at 8 a.m. in the high school cafeteria. Register online at granvillecolorrun.eventbrite.com or by mail: Granville Junior-Senior High School; Attn: Sondra Smith; 58 Quaker Street, Granville, New York 12832. Checks should be made payable to Granville Junior-Senior High School.

Volunteers are needed the day before and the day of the event. Duties include blowing up balloons, spraying color cannons, marking the course and checking contestants in.

“It takes a lot of people,” Smith said.

Those interested in volunteering, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, should contact Sondra Smith at the high school via phone at 1-518-642-1051 x2308 or by email at [email protected].