Enthusiastic Crowd for Paint the Plains Patriot Run

Runners Far Down the Route

Approximately 300 runners/walkers turned out at Willow Creek Park at 5pm on Saturday, September 12, to take part in the first annual Paint the Plains for Patriotism Fun Run and Walk. “It’s amazing what can develop from just a simple conversation,” exclaimed co-organizer, Shane Dashner at the swimming pool parking lot where he was taking in last minute entries.

Shane Dashner Minutes Before the Fun Run Start

A cloud of color starts the race.

The Run, sponsored by the Colorado National Guard and some local businesses, will help benefit the Lamar HOPE Center, headquartered at the former Lincoln School on North 10^th Street. Dashner and co-organizer, Kendra Cope, told the HOPE Coalition members in late August that around 76 people had signed up for the Run and they were hoping for about 35 more. Dashner said this past Saturday that he had ordered around 250 tee shirts for the participants and they would not have enough for everyone involved. The early entry fee of $10, coupled with the later $15 fee would be put to use for activities at the HOPE Center.

Holding Their Breath at the Spraying Line

The Run is unique as participants get ‘sprayed’ with red-white and blue-colored powdered cornstarch which is non-polluting and washable. The course up to the medical centers off South Memorial Drive and along Willow Creek Park, had five spraying stations through which you enter clean and exit with the powder cleaning to your tee shirt, hair, face and other sweaty parts. Some of the runners deliberately slowed down when they neared a station and the walkers began to increase their pace. Everyone had a good laugh at the moment, the sprayers and the sprayed-upon, young and old. All age groups took part, leaving from the swimming pool parking lot, and either sprinting to the front of the pack, or moving in large groups as they selected their paths on the first leg of their journey.

The Colorado National Guard donated $2,300 to get the ball rolling and various banks in the Lamar area contributed from $200 to $250, plus assistance from OneMain Financial and Health Living. Based on the entry fees, the HOPE Center could realize close to $3,000 as well, but a final tally was not available at press time.

By Russ Baldwin