Colorful run

The big Ellendale Elementary School parking lot was very busy from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, October 5 for the Color Run/Walk fundraiser. This was done to raise money for new playground equipment which will give children with special needs easier access. A color run is a race run by people in white shirts or shorts. When they pass certain checkpoints, they get colored powder thrown on them to mark their progress and give their clothes a messy rainbow splattered look. The temperature was 85 degrees, but a strong east wind kept the heat at bay for the racers. A white line had been painted across the road earlier to keep everyone even.

 

There were over 250 people pre-registered for the race before the event. That’s not counting day-of numbers. Wendy Schultz, who helped organize the race said, of the $200,000 needed for the new equipment, “So far we have $51,000.” Schultz said it wasn’t just about the playground; “This is also for families to get out and get exercise together and to get to do something fun, and to look silly doing it.” Kate Kruger and Bethany Tennis were the starters. They had exploding smoke launchers that got the racers moving. In the crowd were kids running as young as five with a few youngsters in strollers pushed by mothers walking at their own pace. There were plenty of high school kids in the crowd and a few grown men. Besides runners, there were many volunteers helping with the day’s events, around 35 people, mostly teachers or staff from Ellendale Elementary or from the NRHEG high school. Schultz was very happy with the day’s turnout.

 

There were firetrucks from the New Richland Fire Department, Hartland Fire Department, Geneva Fire and Ambulance, Ellendale Fire and Ambulance and Hollandale Fire and Ambulance. Food vendors Moe Geo’s and Carpenter Coffee Co. were also present.

 

Onlookers or people in the race were able to get a close look at the firetrucks from 2-3 p.m. The race itself started at 3 p.m. Schultz said, “Yeah, we started right on time and should be done and out of here by 4.” Anyone who wanted to be in the race/walk had to pay a $30 entrance fee. Under 4 years old was free. For the fee they received a T-shirt and a bottle of water at the end, sometimes the colored powder got into people’s mouths and tasted funny, but was otherwise safe. Also, at the end of the race, the Ellendale fire truck opened its hose and had it continuously spray water in the air, so that anyone who wanted to rinse off or cool off had a chance to.

 

There was no prize for first place, but the person who came in first was a high schooler in track and field named Jacob Karl. His time was 9.52. Regarding his win, he said breathlessly, “Yeah some of the color powder got in my mouth. I need to get some water.” The only reason we know his time is because he kept track of it himself on his watch. Second place was Quinn VanMaldeghem. Her time is unknown. Third place was Ryan Schlaak, his time also unknown.