Color run: Record-setting attendance at fitness event

By Nathan Pfau, Army Flier Staff WriterSeptember 3, 2015

Color run: Record-setting attendance at fitness event
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Color run: Record-setting attendance at fitness event
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FORT RUCKER, Ala. (Sept. 3, 2015) -- Fort Rucker hosts many runs throughout the year, but none have been as successful or as unique as the Color Run.

Nearly 850 people signed up and ran in Saturday's run that had runners covered from head to toe in all kinds of colors in what some said was the best time they've had running.

"I would say that (the run) surpassed our expectations -- we really didn't know what to expect heading into it," said Anne Sullivan, fitness program coordinator. "We knew we had a great event on our hands, we just didn't know what the magnitude of that was really going to end up being."

The participation ended up being so great that additional time was required to allow for registration and the route of the run had to be changed to accommodate the extra runners.

"We had the biggest turnout for any run that I've been a part of or even heard about," said the program coordinator. "It was really exciting and so much fun."

Sullivan was only one of hundreds enjoying themselves as runners took to the route for a unique experience that they wouldn't soon forget.

Riley Davis, civilian runner, said it was one of the best times he'd had running in a race, something that he does frequently.

"I've been in a lot of races and usually it's the same thing. You get here, you set your goal, set your pace and try to beat your time that you set for yourself," he said. "This wasn't like that at all. There was a little bit of competition from a few people, but overall it was just about having a good time. That's a nice change for something like this."

Davis said the change of pace allowed him to run with his son, Tristen, 9, which is not something that he's normally able to do.

"It was nice to be able to run with him for a change," said the Enterprise native. "It's not usually an option since most of the time these runs are competitions, but this allowed me to just keep pace with him and have a good time."

For others, the change was a nice way to incorporate fitness and fun, as well as bring people together for an all-around good time, according to Alyssa Jameson, military spouse.

"I don't usually get out and run very often, but when I heard from a friend that they were going to be doing a color run, I thought it would be something interesting to try out," she said. "I had no idea it would be anything like this."

Jameson ran the race with a few of her friends and said it was one of the best times she'd had, especially while exercising.

"I'll admit that we didn't run the entire length of the race, but we didn't really have to either because we were just enjoying this experience with each other," she said. "It was less about the fitness and more about the experience, and we just got covered in color. I never thought I could have this much fun getting so messy."

Fitness and fun is exactly what the goal of the race was -- to show people that not all exercise has to be a chore, said Sullivan.

"I had hoped that some people might have had more fun than they'd ever had exercising," she said, "and I hope it left people with a very positive impression and they left the event feeling really exhilarated and energized."

The Color Run was also a learning experience for the fitness program coordinator and everyone involved in organizing the race.

"The run totally blew us all away and we had no idea that it would be so well received," said Sullivan. "It was definitely an adventure. I'm sure we'll do this again, so next year we'll be able to plan a lot better for the run."

In addition to making sure the Color Run returns next year, she hopes that the success of the event is able to open the doors to more exciting events throughout the year.

Related Links:

USAACE and Fort Rucker on Twitter

USAACE and Fort Rucker on Facebook

Fort Rucker, Ala.

U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence