For the first time, the Color Run is coming to Memphis.
U of M students participating in the "fun run" on Saturday will temporarily give up their blue and gray for yellow, pink, green and orange.
The Color Run is an untimed 5K race, about three miles, open to all ages. There are multiple runs across the country in major cities including Chicago, St. Louis and Little Rock, Ark.
The race draws inspiration from the Hindu festival Holi, a religious festival that celebrates the beginning of spring with bonfires and the throwing of colored powder. Although the Memphis race is closer to the beginning of fall, students are amped up for the colorful course.
For Danielle Williams, junior business management major, the Color Run will be her first 5K. She registered with a team - Stop, Wok, & Roll - because a friend invited her.
"I originally signed up to become more active, and it looked like so much fun," she said. "I think the thing I look forward to the most is the awesome color showers we get when we pass through the check points."
Memphis runners will begin the race at Tiger Lane South and go through four "color zones" on Southern Avenue, South Cooper Street, Central Avenue and Alabama Street.
When participants pass through the color zones, they will be pelted with colored powder. The powder, which is made from cornstarch, is 100 percent natural and safe, according to the Color Run website.
"I think I'm going to get some comfortable workout pants because it may be chilly that morning, and a white T-shirt so I can look even cooler with all the colors on," Williams said.
Each Color Run benefits a local charity by donating money raised through registration fees. The race this weekend will contribute funds to the DeNeuville Learning Center, an organization that offers women of Memphis opportunities to take part in counseling and educational workshops.
Maria Luong, junior computer science and mathematics major, is one of the volunteers who will be chucking handfuls of color to show her support for her community and friends.
"It's a really great opportunity to participate in something that's fun and benefits the DeNeuville Learning Center," she said. "Depending on when, where and how much, there's a chance that I may be running in it next year."
The finish line is between the Children's Museum of Memphis and Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, but the event doesn't end there; racers and volunteers alike will have the opportunity to throw more colored powder at each other and take part in other festivities planned for the morning.
Although the colored powder washes out, runners who want to preserve the colors can spray the clothing with vinegar and iron it before washing.
Individual registration is $55 per person. For groups of four or more, it is $50 per person.
Participants receive a T-shirt, a Color Run headband, wristband and a bag of powder for the post-race festival in their race packets, which can be picked up at Sports Authority on Thursday and Friday.
The race starts at 9 a.m. and the finish festival will take place from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
