Running the Rainbow

Participants send colored powders skyward at the start of the Turkey Rainbow Run/Walk. Photo by Catherine Cluett.

Covered in powdery colors of the rainbow, more than 300 participants of all ages laughed their way through the five-kilometer Turkey Rainbow Run/Walk at Kualapu`u School last Saturday morning. Participants of the first-ever Rainbow Run let out a cheer and filled the air with a palette of powders as the event kicked off, while a natural bow arched fittingly overhead.

“I’ve never seen this many people run a 5K race and be happy about it!” said Marshall Joy, a Kualapu`u School teacher. “It’s great to see all the smiles.”

Ty McComas, Registered Nurse at Na Pu`uwai, helped spearhead the event with the assistance of fellow Na Pu`uwai staff member Komela Horner.

McComas said he has partnered with Kualapu`u’s physical education program before, and the idea for a color run came from a brainstorming session. The event was a collaboration between Kualapu`u School, Molokai Middle School and Na Pu`uwai, and McComas said they’re already planning to include Kaunakakai School next year to “make it even bigger.”

“It’s fitness, fun and family,” he said, summing up the morning. “It’s just a fun event to promote healthy lifestyles.”