I Snuck Into the Paris Color Run
Anyone walking along Quai D'orsay on April 17th would have seen a party going on down by the banks of the Seine. Hundreds of colored people -- yellow, blue, green and pink running and dancing to electronic music as they passed through the checkpoints of the 5k. The Color Run, also referred to as "The Happiest 5k on the Planet," is intended to promote a healthy lifestyle by combining fun and fitness. The event gives back by partnering with local and national charities, to which it has donated over $4 million since 2012.
Every year since high school I have wanted to go on this run, and every year I failed. This year the tickets were sold out, but I decided enough was enough. So I snuck in ... and regret nothing.
There were guards all along the seine, but they seemed more concerned with keeping the runners in than the spectators out. When I finally spotted an opening near one guard eating a sandwich, without hesitation, I slipped past the gates and into the crowd.
This is the chillest 5k I've ever been to. It goes from 9:00h - 13:00h, starting a different group off each hour. Since the event is about fun, there is no competition, and a lot of laughter. Runners even stopped to have a beer and snack in the shack-style bars along the Seine. Under each checkpoint, runners were sprayed with a different color, high fives were given, and "paint fights" frequently broke out between participants. All this with pumping music and the backdrop of Paris was one of those infinite moments. There is a concert at the finish line, and from the Snapchats I saw from my AUP peers, it looked raging. There are even some people that admit to sneaking in just for the concert itself.
However, no matter how unique and awesome the experience was, I couldn't help but think of the health risks of the paint powder in these events. According to Color Support, the powder is made from corn starch uses plant based dyes, and is gluten-free. It claims to not cause irritation and damage to the skin, lungs or if digested. However, one curious mother was concerned about the health impact of large amounts of this substance, and tested how much exposure the average runner gets. Her results varied tremendously, but her conclusion was "If you suffer from asthma, allergies, or have symptoms such as coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath, seriously consider your need to participate in this event." She also suggested skipping the Color Throw at the end.
