Running among the autumn colors gets an added benefit this weekend as two arts organizations combine a fun run with a splash of color. On Saturday, October 15, Old Forge’s View presents its fourth annual Running Colors 5K while Saranac Lake’s Adirondack Center for Writing is hosting its inaugural event the next day. These color-bombing road races tie together the changing season colors and performance art with a family-friendly road race/walk.

Saturday’s Running Colors  starts at the Old Forge Waterfront surrounded by the changing leaves. Parking can be found at the Enchanted Forest Water Safari while the event home is the Old Forge waterfront on Lakeview Street, near the Information Center. Participants are blasted with the food-safe, environmentally-friendly powdered color along the race course.

“This year the Running Colors race will finish and Old Forge Brewfest will begin,” says View Operations Manager Jim Connerty. “There will be music playing and a color throwing party at the end. People can buy a ticket for just one of the events or enjoy a discounted combination ticket.”

According to Connerty, Running Colors 5K is a fun event that brings the summer season to a close. In true festival fashion, there will be food available for purchase and music throughout the day. This year’s Brewfest Craft Beer Festival (noon- 5 pm) will be held at the North St Pavilion with over 60 releases from some the finest breweries around the country.

In Saranac Lake, the Adirondack Center for Writing (ACW) has a similarly structured event this Sunday, October 16. Participants in the 5K Color Fun Run will run through bombs of powdered color knowing all proceeds are benefiting a new art initiative. ACW is partnering with Planned Parenthood of the North Country for a new themed program for high school and college students focusing on consent and poetry. Registration for the 5K run/walk starts at 8 am with a 9 am start time at the Adirondack Carousel.

These un-timed, non-competitive events are a great way to spend a day in a beautiful Adirondack location while benefiting art organizations. Enjoy!

Photo of Old Forge Running Colors provided.

Diane Chase

Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time. She writes about ways to foster imaginative play through fun-filled events and activities in the Adirondack region.

From her home in Saranac Lake, Diane also writes a weekly family-oriented newspaper column for the Adirondack Daily Enterprise and keeps her own blog Adirondack Family Time. Her writing and photography has appeared in numerous newspapers, magazines, marketing companies and advertising agencies.

She even finds time to assist her husband with Adirondack Expeditions guiding families and young adults in the High Peaks.

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