More than 5,000 participate in Color Run in downtown Youngstown

June 14, 2015 at 12:12a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Even though the Saturday morning sky over Youngstown was gray and overcast, there were rainbows all over the downtown district.

They were on headbands, socks and even tutus, sported by the more than 5,000 people who took part in the second annual Color Run, which began and ended at the Covelli Centre on East Front Street. Eventually, all the colors of the rainbow ended up covering the participants from head to toe.

The threatening skies and intermittent rain showers did nothing to dissuade those who’d come downtown to take part in the colorful event, which benefited Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.

“It really is the happiest 5K,” said 27-year-old Danielle Clemente of Hubbard, who showed up to participate with four of her family members. “The Happiest 5K” is how the Color Run bills itself, and this year’s event was called the Shine Tour 2015.

It’s called the Color Run because runners, who are encouraged to wear white, are showered with packets of colored powder and with liquid, paintlike colors, both before and during the run. Of course, it’s all in fun, and the smiles on the faces of the runners showed it.

Since it’s not actually a race, there were no official times kept, and there were no actual winners. The emphasis is on healthiness, happiness and individuality. Participants could either walk or run the 3.2-mile course at their own pace.

For the Clemente clan, it was “family time,” according to Erika Clemente, 24. It was the second year the family had run the course together.

“Last year I ran when I was pregnant,” said Danielle.

Dan Clemente, 54, said he planned to dodge the volunteers who were waiting to pelt the runners with color packets as he crossed the course.

“I run around them,” he said, laughing.

“But at the end, we grab some extra color packets and throw them at him,” Erika said.

Damian Perry, 41, of Salem, said it was his wife’s idea for the two of them to participate this year with their children, 9-year-old Dominic and 8-year-old Madelyn. But when it came time to line up for the start, 36-year-old Nikki was nowhere to be found.

“She broke her foot in the meantime, so she’ll be waiting for us at the finish line,” Perry said.

And even though Madelyn looked anxious, Damian said she and Dominic were ready to roll.

“They were looking forward to it,” he said. “They didn’t even mind getting up at 5 o’clock this morning to come.”

Janet Springer came from Warren to participate with her friends, Audrey Gillespie of Leavittsburg and Amanda Kane of Struthers. It was their first time taking part in a Color Run.

“We’re virgins,” said Springer, laughing.

Like many of the rest who’d showed up, Gillespie said she, Springer and Kane wanted to support the “good cause” of Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.

Melissa Seiple of Canfield, 36, who was also making her first Color Run, had a simpler reason for being there.

“I just thought it would be something fun to do with my group of friends,” she said. “We think it will be fun to get sprayed.”