This
last weekend was my 10 year high school reunion. It was a great
weekend. I saw a concert, went to a couple of events with my class and
did another color run!
It
was by chance that I ended up doing two color runs within 2 weeks of
each other. I had already signed up for one, and my friends all started
signing up for the second one...so I have two to compare now.
The
two events were for pretty different size. The Color Run was in Des
Moines, Iowa. It had around 30,000 participants and went around
downtown. Run or Dye was in Rapid City, South Dakota. It definitely
didn't have nearly that much...maybe 5,000 or so? It might be less.
That's the number the Rapid City Journal is reporting.
If you'd like my tips about running a Color Run and keeping the color, see my other post here.
Packet Pick-Up
Winner: The Color Run
The
Color Run had two different packet pick up times where the Run or Dye
had only one. You'd think that since The Color Run had a million times
more participants (okay...so like 5 times more) the pick up would have
taken less time. Nope. It took longer to get checked in to the Run or
Dye. Not only that, but the location was out of the way, where The Color
Run was in the main part of town. I couldn't figure out why they
wouldn't have the packet pick up at a sports store like The Color Run
did.
The Route
Winner: The Color Run
I
understand that The Color Run was in a metro area compared to the
location I ran the Run or Dye at, but the Run or Dye run was terribly
planned. First off, they didn't leave the fairgrounds they started on.
That meant that you ran on grass, asphalt, a trail with potholes the
size of a small child, and the best part...in circles inside a building.
It was crazy. Plus, I had my Nike+ on for both races. The Color Run was
right on. Run or Dye was only 2.6 miles! I imagine people thought they
got killer times when they cut a half mile off the race!
Color
Winner: Run or Dye
The
Color Run had Blue, Yellow, Orange and Pink. They also had purple and
green available in packets. They had a mist water thing too so you would
pick up more color. It was a good idea, but the color didn't seem that
bright or saturated. Run or Dye had Green, Blue, Yellow, Pink. Purple
was also available in packets. You got a bit more color in your packet
and it seemed much brighter.
Atmosphere
Winner: The Color Run
The
Color Run had a main stage that was pumping out dance music and doing
Zumba before the race. Then when you got to the chute, the DJ was
pumping music, throwing out free stuff and generally rocking. Not to
mention the packet pick up was also a dance party in its own right. They
also had a bad arse store to get all sorts of different stuff. (Run or
Dye didn't have as much of a selection). Run or Dye didn't have a main
stage playing music before the event and the music they did play in the
chute was terrible. I mean...come on! Play music to pump me up...not
slow songs! The stage they did have after the race was the same problem.
Not to mention I swear I heard the "DJ" yelling at people every five
seconds ("I told you not to use your packet yet" "You need to pay
attention to what's going on up here"). Not the go lucky attitude of The
Color Run. Plus The Color Run had more signage that was fun, more
people moving around, a unicorn and a conga line!
So,
I had tons of fun at each race, but I'll definitely hit up The Color
Run again and pass on Run or Dye. I did hear that "Color Me Rad" is a
fun race and they use liquid color as well.
Our "Before" Picture...we may have gotten some paint before the race started.
Our "After" picture
Our friend got crazy insane color!
