The Color Run was inspired by several awesome events, including Disney’s World of Color, Paint Parties, Mud Runs, and festivals throughout the world such as Holi. We wanted to create a less stressful, untimed running environment that was more about health and happiness than competition. We hope that The Color Run can act as a catalyst to inspire continual healthy living.

The Color Run is an untimed event. For anyone who wants a finish time, we suggest self-timing.

The Color Run, LLC is a for-profit event company. For details on our charity partnerships click here.

Absolutely. We will have color powder packets available on a first come/first serve basis for everyone to purchase at The Color Run Store.

If you purchased a Glow-Getter or Glow-For-Gold ticket, you will receive the 2020 limited edition Make Magic Participant Kit complete with a new Happy Tee, Unicorn finisher’s medal, Infinity band, color packet, and two tattoos!

If you purchased a Glow ticket, you will receive entry, Unicorn finisher’s medal, and color packet ONLY. Does NOT include a participant kit and Happy tee. 

All runners will be emailed about 10 days prior to the race with information on dates and locations for the Check-In Party. 

Please double check your confirmation email so that you know which registration category you purchased as well as which method for check-in you selected.

1. Check-in Party: Free! Pick up your Participant Kit the day before the event.
2. Day of Event: $5. Pick up your Participant Kit when you arrive in the morning.
3. Shipped to you: You’re already checked in! We’ll meet you at the start line ready to go. (No check-in necessary)

Details will be posted to the city event page during the week of the race. The deets will also be emailed to you approximately 7-10 days before the event. You can pick up kits for other runners at the Check-in Party or race morning as long as you have a printed or electronic copy of their confirmation email with the QR code on it!

Registrations are non-transferable to another person. If you can’t attend, we can mail you your participant kit for a small shipping fee.

OR, you can transfer your registration to another event as long as the transfer is within the same calendar year, and you’re transferring from an event that hasn’t yet taken place.

Have further questions? Contact us here.

If an event is held as advertised, we cannot issue refunds. Make sure you are good to go before signing up. If for some reason you can’t make it to race day, at least come to the Check-In Party, pick up your gear, and say hi to us!

For more information on our refund policy, click here.

A little rain won’t stop The Happiest 5k. It even makes the color brighter! If there are major weather warnings in your city during the weekend of the event, check the city event webpage, and stay tuned for emails with updates.

In the event that severe weather does threaten the event, we have prepared some weather cancellation policies and guidelines. Click here to learn more.

We conduct thorough testing to ensure the safety of our materials and their application. The health of our participants and employees is always our top priority. As a professional events company with highly vetted policies and processes, we conduct thorough testing to ensure the safety of our materials and their application.

Our color powder is all certified non-toxic and free of any heavy metals. Our bright colors are a combination of cornstarch, baking soda, and FD&C (food-safe) dyes. Some Color Runners opt to wear glasses or goggles for their eyes and use a bandana or dust mask for their mouths. Our certified Color Throwers make sure to aim low as you pass by.

It’s totally up to you and your doctor. We see a lot of pregnant runners at our races, and they’re the cutest ones out there!

The powder is all certified non-toxic. We recommend wearing sunglasses or goggles, and a bandana over your mouth and nose in the color zones just for extra protection.

To be totally safe, we always recommend covering cameras/phones with a protective dust wrap. The Color Run is not liable for any damage that might be done to your phone or camera!

The color mostly washes out after the event. As with anything dirty, the sooner you wash it the better. It’s best to wear items that you wouldn’t mind getting colorful. For FULL color cleaning ideas and tips, check out this link out!

We have air-blown color cleaning at the finish line. With a good dusting off, you won’t be 100% clean, but you’ll be good for the drive home. It’s always fun to see people still colorful around town after The Color Run. It’s like a badge of honor!

Nope. There are plenty of great 5ks out there that test speed and performance. However, The Color Run is a non-competitive and untimed 5k filled with color that you can experience with friends and family. You’re free to run, jog, walk, or cartwheel along the course!

If your child can cover the three miles of The Color Run course (while running, jogging, walking, or strolling), they can absolutely participate!

There are two options for children. The Little Glow-Getter for 8 and younger on the registration form. They can register for a super-low fee and get the full participant kit, or the other option for those 3 and under, they can choose to register for free without a participant kit.

For the safety of our runners and animal friends, we do not allow animals at any of our races.

At the Finish Festival, the crowd will be involved in a color throw every 15 minutes to welcome new runners coming in. We provide one bag of color for each runner as you cross the finish line. More packets can be purchased on race day at The Color Run store.

If you have an ADA need, please contact us here.

Participants who will be running with children are encouraged to pick up a wristband for their child. You can pick up a wristband at the check-in party and write your name and phone number.

Please click here to contact us and we’ll get back to you with an answer.