Night Color 5K: FIU Tri Club introduces event at BBC

Photo courtesy of Christina Reddick.

Sofia Galiano/Staff Writer

The FIU Triathlon Club is getting their glow sticks ready for the first-ever night run at the Biscayne Bay Campus on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.

This glow in the dark paint party will stretch along the 3.1 mile bike trail surrounding BBC. This event is for FIU and non-FIU students to run or walk, in an effort to raise funds for the FIU Tri Club.

“We like to have events that people don’t have to be a runner to come to,” said Christina Reddick, FIU Tri Club race coordinator.

In 2013, the FIU Tri Club hosted themed running events including the “Homecoming Color Run” and “Running Scared 5K” for Halloween, which were free to FIU students and faculty.

However, the Night Color 5K will cost University participants $10 in addition to a 50-cent service fee for online registration; $50 for non-FIU students and faculty along with a $2.50 service fee; and $20 for kids ages 14 and under plus a $1 service fee.

Non-FIU participants can use the coupon code “NIGHT5K” and receive 50 percent off the event (totalling $25 for non-FIU runners and $10 for kids, not including service fees).

Although there is a no-refund policy, fees can be transferred toward another Tri Club event.

For that price, all participants will receive glow in the dark accessories before the run, but runners are welcome to bring glow sticks and flashlights from home.

The first 1,000 people to register will receive a white FIU paint race T-shirt to be splashed with colored powder and neon paint the night of the race.

Wacky outfits and colorful tutus are more than welcome for this event.

“We are encouraging crazy costumes,” said Reddick.

The event will take place behind the Aquatic Center, where there will be music by local DJs, food trucks and vendors handing out freebies.

Water bottles will be given to runners at the finish line.

“Night runs have gained popularity in the US during this past year,” Reddick said in an email. She said they are “the next big fun thing in running events.”

Michael Vasconez, a senior psychology and criminal justice major who helps with the running events, was the one who suggested a night color run.

Vasconez said the first color run the Tri Club hosted in February 2013 was really successful and he thought a paint race at night would be cool.

“The first one we had had a couple hundred people,” he said.

To register, particpants must visit the FIU Tri Club website at fiutriathlon.com/color/ prior to the race. Race day registration is not available.

When registering, participants choose the wave they will run in, with the first wave beginning at 7 p.m. and a new wave starting every 15 minutes until 9 p.m.

Packet pick-up will be in the BBC Bookstore on Wednesday Feb. 5 and Thursday Feb. 6 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. for FIU students and faculty.

For non-FIU students, packet pick-up will be at Sports Authority on 4100 Oakwood Blvd, Hollywood, Fla. 33020 on Friday, Feb. 7, from noon to 9 p.m.

Participants may also retrieve their race packets the night of the run, but Reddick warns runners to expect long lines.

Free bag check will also be available to participants to store their belongings.

“We think the college students will enjoy the night run,” said Reddick.“Night runs tend to have a ‘party’ vibe rather than a competitive vibe.”

For those who need community service hours, volunteers are needed to promote the event using social media and on-campus marketing, helping with packet pick-up, checking in runners, and working the water and color stations.

Prospective volunteers can email Reddick at reddickc@fiu.edu or call (305) 919-4549 for more information.

“I believe our students will appreciate us hosting one of these popular runs on campus,” said Reddick.

-news@fiusm.com