The Color Run – Ventura

Color Run was really fun! My sisters and I had a blast at our first 5k run. The only one thing that was a problem is they say the colors they throw at you are non-​toxic. The silver one is aluminium and you breathe a lot of it in at the color gates. Also, they hand out silver packets of the color to throw at the after party. We could not go as the whole party was covered in aluminium like the Tin Man in Wizard of Oz. It’s not like glitter at all. It coats your lungs and body. The color run website will not let you know this. Keep kids away as well. It was still the happiest day I have had in a long time. The volunteers were awesome and everyone was super supportive. I feel bad for the girls throwing the silver aluminium from the boxes. They inhaled enough that now it is stored in their brains. Sad.

The Color Run was so much fun!
This was my second 5K and there was a lot of people who participated. Parking was a little hectic due to traffic but we easily found a spot in the parking garage in downtown Ventura. Walking over to the race at the fairgrounds was easy.
It was exciting to see everyone dressed in crazy colors and costumes. I felt like I was at a mini rave lol It was rough going uphill on the incline in the beginning but a breeze running down the incline towards the middle of the race. We received water bottles halfway and were provided nut bars and beef jerky at the end.
I was forewarned by a previous color runner to not breathe when getting tossed and splashed with powder dye throughout the race and it helped because some people were choking on it since it clouded everything.
My favorite part was finishing the race at the end where my friends and I joined the crowd at the stage and the DJ was playing dance music. He initiated us to toss our package of dye (that we received at the end of the race) when he dropped the bass and it created a colorful swarm of craziness in the air going with the music. It felt like that exhilarating moment when you go surfing in a wave and it entraps you but you still feel free (even though I’ve never tried surfing but that’s what I imagine it to feel like LOL).
Definitely recommend this 5K! :)

This was soooo much fun! They call this the Happiest 5K on the Planet and I would 100% agree! Went with my friend to the Ventura Fairgrounds to give this a shot. I thought parking would be a huge hassle but it was very well-​organized. You could park at the fairgrounds parking lot for free. We opted to park in a free four-​hour parking lot in the downtown Ventura area, which was just a few blocks from the fairgrounds. A very easy walk.
Once we got to the Color Run sign-​in area, we grabbed a free pomegranate smoothie from the McDonald’s tent… yums. It was so cool seeing everyone dressed so creatively… many people wore tutus (I even saw an older gentleman with a pink tutu), crazy rainbow colored wigs, and multicolored socks in different patterns. Everyone was really into it and very excited. We checked in and got our packet… it included a cute Color Run t-​shirt, a sweatband, two tattoos, a Color Run bracelet, a darling Color Run shoulder bag, and a sample of Shout Color Catcher for your laundry, lol, nice touch:) I loved all these goodies! We put our tattoos on our face and made our way to the start line.
The course was scenic… we walked (didn’t run) by the Ventura pier with a great view of the ocean and eventually through downtown Ventura, which has so many quaint shops and restaurants. Also passed by the San Buenaventura Mission, which I had no idea was in the area. Most of the participants walked, some ran. I loved the fact that this was not a competitive event. People were just there to have fun. We got colored cornstarch sprayed at us along the way and by the end we were a kaleidoscope of pink, yellow, blue, and purple. I thought the cornstarch had a bit of a weird smell (and unfortunately some got in my mouth) but I quickly got used to it because it was so fun being drenched in color like that!
After we crossed the finish line, they had an after party with music and prizes being thrown out to the audience from the huge stage area. The best part of this was everyone throwing up a packet of colored cornstarch at the same time. (You were given a packet at the finish line). I had to make sure I had my camera ready. Make sure you stay for this part… it really is a unique experience to see these clouds of color right above your head. Loved that part! They also had lot of vendors and a few food trucks. We got several packets of Oberto beef jerky, a KIND snack bar, and a fruit ice from one of the trucks to replenish ourselves.
Loved the fact you didn’t have to be a runner or in tip-​top shape to do this. The course is very doable, and we saw people of many ages, shapes, and sizes. There were lots of kids participating as well.
I was also pleased that it didn’t take us that long to get back on the freeway. The City of Ventura really planned well for this event and traffic was nicely streamlined.
A fun, inclusive, happy experience that everyone should try. Kudos to the Color Run organizers for making this event go so smoothly!

This was my first Color Run, and also my first 5k, and, well, my first running event ever in my life. There was a pretty nasty uphill towards the beginning of the route and the colored powder got everywhere and made me sneeze uncontrollably, especially when the powder got thrown into my face, but I was happily speckled by the end of the 3.1 miles.
Only real issue here is that we were told that we would start at 9 am and I was all warmed up and ready by then, and then we had to stand there for another 20 minutes and by that time I wasn’t warmed up anymore, so the start (around 25 minutes late) was pretty painful. Also, they didn’t check IDs when we were checking in, and someone signed in as my friend and basically took his spot, and it caused a bit of trouble. But whatever, he still got to run it anyways so no big deal in the end.
Don’t know if I’d want to do another Color Run, as the price is a bit steep for just a 5k. I had fun though.

My boyfriend and I finished today out first 5k and it was by far the most fun! Thanks!

My husband and I are looking forward to participating in our first Color Run!
Apparently, this is suppose to be the «happiest 5k» ever… so the expectations have been set high! Let’s see if they meet expectations tomorrow. :)
Just wanted to put in a note here about the communications (primarily email) that have been coming from the organizers of this run; and it’s pretty good. I’ve gotten at least 4+ emails in a span of 1 – 2 months leading up to this event, so I know what’s happening and what to prepare in advance.
I’ll be back to update my review post-​event, to share all the fun we had! (hope I’m not jinxing myself here)