Beaming blue, neon green, bright yellow, purple and pink colors filled the air at Utah Valley University on Saturday where over 4,500 participants ran in the Color Me Rad 5k.
Inspired by the Holi Festival of Colors , a Hindu religious celebration held every Spring to celebrate victory of good over evil , and brought by the same people who organize the popular Dirty Dash, Color Me Rad is a race put on across the country that promotes having good, clean fun while exercising.
The 'tsunami of color' produced by colored corn starch and washable spray paint provided locals with more than a good time and exciting pictures. A portion of the funds raised went toward a scholarship for Utah Valley University and to local charities.
Matt Ward, the owner and coordinator of Color Me Rad said participants raised over $10,00 for UVU and over $2,000 for local charities.
The event attracted individuals of all ages and brought the community together.
Lacey Mckee, 21, from Taylorsville, heard about the race from a friend at work.
'It looked awesome,' Mckee said. 'Kind of like the festival of colors, but a race.
The event had four waves of races to accommodate the large turnout and provided many with an enjoyable experience with the food and music provided.
Jari Nelson, 27, from Maryland, enjoyed watching her sister-in-law get covered in color from head to toe.
'It was a fun family event,' Nelson said.
The Utah race is one of 24 Color Me Rad races planned for 2012 in various states.
As owner and coordinator, Ward enjoyed coming up with the witty catch phrases to bring people's attention to the race via social media.
'You’ll start off with a shirt as pure and white as your grandpa's dentures and you'll soak up enough color while running to change your skin tone forever.' And 'You'll wind up looking like a pack of skittles -- just make sure not to 'taste the rainbow',” are just two of these phrases.