Introducing the Rainbow Run

a 5k fun run/walk for acceptance & diversity

Details

On Sunday, June 17, 2012, the Ferndale Area Chamber held the inaugural Rainbow Run – a 5k fun run / walk for acceptance and diversity.

Spearheaded by the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce and presented by Comerica Bank, the run wove through the streets of downtown Ferndale the morning of the Ferndale Pride Market Days as one of the many events taking place throughout the Ferndale Pride weekend. The run/walk was for everyone of all ages who supports diversity and acceptance, everyone who supports anti-bullying programs, and everyone who believes we can not be complete until all persons are included.

Participants received white t-shirts* with the Rainbow Run logo to wear. As participants passed six different stations along the course, volunteers threw a different colored non-toxic powdered paint at their shirts. By the end of the race, the t-shirts (and yes, other parts of the body) were decorated with all six colors providing a colorful reminder of the event.

A family-friendly event, we also had a 2k kid’s run/walk. Strollers were welcome (but no bikes or dogs).

All proceeds from the event went to four area non-profit organizations:
The Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce
The Ferndale Community Foundation
Affirmations
Upstander, an anti-bullying program established by the Friendship Circle

The run was loosely timed for those runners who wanted to track their pace, but runners were not placed. The race started and finished along West Troy St, one block south of Nine Mile between Woodward Ave. and Allen St. in Ferndale, MI.

Registration began at 9:00 am and the run/walk start times were staggered by category starting at 10:30 am

After the run, we held a closing ceremony where we launched 300 rainbow-colored balloons sponsored by Blumz…by JRDesigns, creating a colorful kick off for Ferndale Pride Market Daze event that began at noon that day. The balloons were biodegradable with no strings attached to make sure we don’t impact the environment.

Cost to participate:
$25 per person for 5k run or walk
$15 per person for 2k run/walk (only three colors will be thrown on this route)

$30 for 5k / $20 for 2k for day-of-event registration.

To visit the Rainbow Run website, click here.