By Ashley Wilson
Special to The PREVIEW
Start off all of your ColorFest plans with a colorful run/walk as the balloons rise the morning of Sept. 15. Join Rise Above Violence in this annual event and get colorful for a cause.
Event begins at 8 a.m. at Town Park, Saturday, Sept. 15. Registration opens at 7 a.m., but to guarantee your event T-shirt, we recommend you register early at https://2018pagosacolorrun.eventbrite.com.
This is a family-friendly event where you can walk, skip or jump along the entire course. This un-timed, noncompetitive event is for everyone. From the young to the young at heart, you’re going to love it. Add some color to your life and come out for a colorful good time. The more white you wear, the more colorful you will be as you cross the finish line. Join with friends to start your weekend as colorful as possible.
The Color Run/Walk course wraps around the balloon launch site next to The Springs Resort and Spa, following Hot Springs Boulevard down to Yamaguchi Park, around the athletic fields and back along the Riverwalk to end at Town Park for the color toss at 9 a.m. The route is mostly flat with all paved roads or sidewalks and very few slopes and small inclines. The event is open to all ages and abilities.
All proceeds from the Color Run are used to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in our community. Rise believes everyone has the right to live free from violence and works to end it in our homes and our community. Come support such an amazing and “colorful” cause at this year’s ColorFest 5K Color Run/Walk. Call 264-1129 for more information.
Rise is the only nonprofit in Archuleta County providing crisis and advocacy services for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
In 2017, Rise served 371 victims and survivors and answered 409 hotline calls. That is not all. Rise also has a youth violence prevention program. Students in the fifth through 12th grades received classes, presentations and participated in events that discuss bullying prevention, Internet safety and healthy relationships. Rise makes contact with over 800 students each year. Events like the Color Run, the upcoming Art Above Violence show/auction on Sept. 29, the annual push-up challenge every April and the Pagosa Duathlon every July provide additional funds needed to support these important programs.
Rise operates through the generous support of our community, both through donations as well as volunteers giving their time to answer the hotline or help plan events. If you are interested in helping Rise, call 264-1129 and talk to Ashley. Check out the website at http://riseaboveviolence.org.