Burst of Color

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Conde
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  With a quick twist of the wrist, yellow, orange and green powder exploded from each of the runners' packets, surrounding the crowd in a cloud of color marking the beginning of the first color run titled "Paint the Pumpkin" Oct. 24, 2014, behind the Short Fitness & Sports Center at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

Upon registering for the 5K run, each participant was issued a white t-shirt, three color powder packets, and a face cover. Four additional color stations were posted along the route to spray the participants as they passed.

"We wanted to promote healthiness, happiness and individuality by bringing Team MacDill together to participate in the fun and unforgettable run," said Staff Sgt. Samantha Ferrell, 6th Force Support Squadron programs and events coordinator.

A total of 170 people took part in the color run, with a Short Fitness Center gym bag, fitness log and headphones as prizes for the fastest male and female times.

Capt. Michael Schultz, 6th Medical Support Squadron pharmacist, ran the fastest time overall at 17 minutes, 57 seconds, and Special Agent Antoniya Petkova, Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 340, had the fastest female time of 23 minutes and 43 seconds.

Both Schultz and Petkova agreed that the color run was a great change from the normal 5K runs usually hosted at MacDill.

"It was a really good race," said Petkova. "This is the largest amount of people I have seen turn out to a 5K this year."

The 6th FSS is looking to host two more color runs next year, and will try to make the event bigger and brighter for the participants.

"We hope Team MacDill enjoyed our unique paint race!" said Ferrell. "Thank you to all the volunteers and the 6th FSS for making this event possible."

The next upcoming 5K runs will be the Turkey Trot on Nov. 7 and the Jingle Bell Jog on Dec. 5.