The Color Run Survival Kit
This popular 5K is sort of like a crayon box exploding: as participants make their way through the course, volunteers cover them in colored powder.
As you can probably already tell, this is a fun run that welcomes all ages and athletic ability, but just because it’s fun doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be some prep involved. After running it for ourselves, here are some insider tips on how to prep and what to expect when doing a Color Run!
White T-shirt:
Rule No. 1 of The Color Run: Wear white. Whether you go the old ratty T-shirt route like Thunhorst or opt for a six pack of Hanes’ like Felts, you’ll end the race covered in color. “The point of [The Color Run] is to ruin your clothes,” Thunhorst says.
Bandanna:
If you’ve got light locks, this is definitely something you should consider bringing along. Felts, a blonde, says she could still see faded flecks of green and pink in her hair two weeks after the run. Even if you have darker hair or aren’t worried about an accidental dye job, you might want to consider bringing a bandanna to protect your mouth and nose from the color.
Water bottle:
You wouldn’t really forget to bring a bottle of good ol’ H2O to a 5K run, would you?
Sunglasses:
Protect your eyes from the sun and the colored cornstarch powder thrown at each color station throughout the race. The powder is colored with non-toxic dyes because they’re safe to use in food, drugs and cosmetics. The Shine Tour also features makeup-like “shine” powder (Read: glitter), but have no fear: The Color Run staff promise only to throw that one at the lower half of your body.
Sunscreen:
You know what it feels like to take a shower with a really horrible sunburn? Now, imagine trying to scrub layers of colored paint in the shower with said horrible sunburn. Don’t forget to lather up pre-race.
Sandwich bag: Take a tip from both Thunhorst and Felts. Stash your electronics in a plastic bag to keep them color-free. “I could still take pictures with [my phone] and unlock it and everything, but I didn’t get it disgusting from the color,” Felts says.
Makeup remover wipes:
If you’re needing a quick cleanup after the run, bring along a pack of makeup remover wipes. Looking back, Felts says she would have loved to use a few on her face before frightening the barista who served her a post-race coffee.
Towels: Save your car seats by laying towels over them before you drive home. A few garbage bags on the floors won’t hurt either, Felts says.
Spray bottle of vinegar:
You can preserve your newly colored tee once you’re home by spraying it with vinegar and then ironing it. We recommend, you know, taking it off first.
Source: Vox Magazine