Won two free entries through Yelp Sacramento…read more
Pre-Packet pickup at Sports Authority Natomas had an extremely LONG line outside in the sun (approximately one hour wait time, around 12:45pm). 15 minutes later, once inside the lines wrapped around as well, congested. Different lines for those with printed tickets vs. ID or VIP tickets. Event day pickup had a $5 fee, cash only. Registration packet included a color packet and bib. No participant shirt came with registration unless you were VIP.
Two daytime options (6:00 & 6:30pm) and two night options (8:00 & 8:30pm) for runners to sign up for.
Event parking was $5 flat rate, pay at entry at the 10th and L Parking Garage (I think the Tower Bridge garage across from Embassy Suites was also $5).
The course was a 1.6 (Yelp Event page said 1.8) mile loop with only two color stations (at 0.8 miles and at the finish), where you could choose to go through once, twice, or three times. Two laps for a full 5K, basically. Two water stations. Kids 12 and under were free, so there were quite a few strollers out there.
We got there before 8pm and the post-6:30pm finisher party was going on. It wasn't clear where the START area was, only the FINISH was obviously labeled with a banner/arch next to the stage. Some who hadn't gone through the course yet were already covered in colors due to the free color packets that came with registration. Only one entrance at 6th and Capital Mall to the chainlink-fenced off area. Race-day pickup was there too, as well as merchandise, and food for sale. Night run #1 actually started after 8pm.
It was chilly and only a little sprinkle of rain, but with the nature of the fun run and massive amount of people, we opted to just walk the course rather than try to weave through the crowd in the dark. The color station at the halfway point was a joke, I didn't see any volunteers, seemed like runners took it upon themselves to toss the colors around from whatever bags were left in cardboard boxes on the ground. A big traffic jam there, then turn around across the Tower Bridge toward the finish in a very anticlimactic way. Only completed 1 loop, thanks very much.
The EDM music was going, color tosses, there was also a line to take photos at the blacklit area. To be honest, the glow-in-the-dark effect of photos taken at the blacklit area was very unflattering (looked like a bird crapped on my bf's head with the pattern of the green powder, for example). No official photographers setup there either (see: Electric Run). The photos taken in regular light weren't that impressive, very light powdery, not as intense. Definitely bring a bandana, face mask, glasses, or something to keep from inhaling too much or getting some in your eyes/nose/ears. P.S. It's cornstarch, which doesn't taste good at all either. Bring a change of clothes as well.
There was a Color Carnival that was shutting down by the time we left which had facepainters, the Inflatable Village obstacles, etc. Supposedly there was an afterparty too at District 30 from 10PM-2AM, free with bib.
I'd give this race an overall rating of 3 stars, it was OK, not great. The course difficulty was a piece 'o cake, scenery was basically the Capitol building and the Tower Bridge really. Race production was rough, swag also lacking. Untimed run.
For comparison, I ran The Color Run in 2012 and in my opinion THAT was a much more fun experience. There, they had barrels of color (one color for every kilometer), it was truly a 5K distance, every runner got a t-shirt and headband, free color packet, waves of runners were started at regular intervals, opportunity for official photos by Sportraits, etc. Also, they had leaf-blowers at the end to at least get rid of the loose powder before you went home.
Thanks Yelp, it was still somewhat cool to spend a colorful Saturday night out on the streets of Sac.