Color run comes to Arlington Heights Saturday

The streets of downtown Arlington Heights are going to get a little messy this weekend as more than 1,000 runners get pelted with colored cornstarch in the village’s first Color Blast 5K.

The run, modeled off popular color runs held in cities nationwide including Chicago, will feature four color stations where runners, who start the race wearing white, are coated in colored cornstarch. By the time they cross the finish line, each of the 1,200 runners signed up for the race will hopefully be more tie-dyed than tired, said Sarah Shaw, event planning coordinator for Clearbrook.

The 5K Color Blast Run/Walk starts at 10 a.m. Saturday and will take the same path through downtown as the annual Santa run, Shaw said.

All proceeds from the race will benefit Clearbook, the largest provider in the state of Illinois of services, programs and support for children and adults with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Shaw said the run will be an annual event during the weekend of the Mane Event and Taste of Arlington Heights.

Village President Tom Hayes will lead of the race as grand marshall and Shaw joked that that mayor, who is an avid runner, might get a little extra color thrown on him.

The race is still looking for volunteers to help on race day. People who are interested can contact Shaw at sshaw@clearbrook.org.

“It’s a big weekend in Arlington Heights and we’re very excited to join in the festivities,” she said.