Ellendale Color Run, rainbows everywhere

About 170 people took part in the second annual NRHEG One Mile Color Run, Walk or Stroll which set out from behind the Ellendale elementary building on Saturday, Oct. 11. This fundraiser was for the school’s inclusive playground, which is currently entering phase three in its completion. There were vendors, police, fire and ambulance. So far $82,000 has been raised and spent. Donations were also being accepted. There was no timing or timers, just first, second and third place with a variety of messy colors on kids. First place was Quinn Vanmaldeghem; second place was Colton Lermon and third place was Collin Misgen. Go Panthers!!!

 

Wendy Schultz was the organizer for the run, “Phase one was the ordering of the equipment. Phase two was the installation of what we had. Phase three will finish everything up with the installation of the final piece and whatever ground cover we pick. ikmThe Sway Fun Glider is a wheelchair accessory. After that’s installed we’ll just have to settle on either wood chips, or those rubber pieces you get from tires, or we can do a flat rubber surface.” MoeGeo’s Events and Catering was nearby, selling food to those who were hungry; so was the Sassy Soda Co., selling mixed soda-like drinks. There was a line 10 deep for face painting, $2 for a session with all proceeds going to the playground. Mayor Routh of Hartland was there enjoying a Sassy Soda, “I think this is the cookies and cream one. Tastes better than I thought it would,” he observed.

 

Volunteer Jean Greenwood was headed to her station at Eighth Avenue. She explained she was station one and would be coating participants in blue. At four other stations along the route, four additional colors would be shared. “When everyone walks past, they get this powder thrown on them,” she explained. “When they get to the end, it’s a colorful nightmare. The kids really seem to enjoy it.”

 

Three high-schoolers were at the starting line ready to lead the pack. Freshman Colton Lermon said, “I’m here to lead, so no one in the crowd gets lost. Besides that I want everyone to have fun and I really like it when people support cross country and track and field and there’s cheering.” Next to him was eighth-grader and schoolmate Violette Botten. She said, “I try to train until the end of cross country; the color run lines up perfectly with the end of the season.” Seventh-grader Josie Tufte was also ready to help lead the pack.

She said, “It’s a good thing to help people, this is a fun thing, I’m glad so many people showed up.” Once the race was run, the vendors started packing up and people started heading home with one parent telling her two children, “Take off your shirts before you get in the car.”