CAPA Color 5K Run & Walk scheduled

Elyse Apel
·3 min read

HILLSDALE — Hillsdale Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness will host a colorful fundraiser this weekend.

Hundreds will gather for the CAPA Color 5K Run and Walk at the Sandy Beach at BawBeese Lake.

“We are very excited to be holding a color run this year for our 5K run and walk,” said Christie Campbell, executive director at CAPA.

Registration for the event is open until April 19 at 11:59 p.m.

“The response to participate this year is absolutely amazing,” Campbell said. “We are over 130 runners and walkers — making this our largest 5K to date!”

The cost for the race is $25 per participant or $65 for a family of four.

Runners make their way past the Grandstands at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds during the 2023 CAPA Color 5K Run & Walk.
Runners make their way past the Grandstands at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds during the 2023 CAPA Color 5K Run & Walk.

Campbell said the race is a part of the Tri-County race series, which means it is a timed event, but she hopes that does not prevent anyone from participating.

“Please don’t let that keep you from coming out to participate and support CAPA,” she said.

The race has been a part of CAPA’s fundraisers for over 10 years.

“This event started as the Magic Ride which was a bicycle event with routes anywhere from three to 50 miles long, there was a short route that some would walk, run, or skate but was not a timed event,” Campbell said.

“We added the official 5K portion to it in 2012. We have since switched over to just a 5K and we have had different themed runs over the years such as a Superhero run, Glow Run, Food Truck run and now a color run. This event used to be in July, but we moved it to the month of April to bring awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month.”

The money raised by the race, and other CAPA fundraisers, is critical for CAPA to continue to do its work in the community, Campbell said.

“When you support this event or any of our events it allows us to be able to continue the mission of CAPA to eliminate child abuse and neglect through advocacy and education in Hillsdale County,” Campbell said. “We are also able to keep our programming free to the community. Programs such as Triple P Positive Parenting Classes, Safe Sleep & Sleep Sacks, Stewards of Children, Babysitting 101 and CPR training, and many awareness campaigns throughout the year!”

To get the full effect of the color run, racers should wear white shirts and will go through a series of different color zones.

“These races are popular and a lot of fun to participate in,” Campbell said.

Check-in for the race will begin at 8 a.m., the 5K will start at 9 a.m., and a free color fun run for children will begin at 10 a.m.

Campbell said the race wouldn’t be possible without the support of the community.

Subscribe Now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content.

“A huge shout out to all our sponsors, volunteers and participants that will be joining us on April 20, we can’t do what we do without all of you,” Campbell said. “Remember, together we can make a difference!”

You can still register for the event from the CAPA Facebook page or its website at capahillsdale.net.

— Elyse Apel is a correspondent for The Hillsdale Daily News. She can be reached by email at ehawkins@hillsdale.edu.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: CAPA Color 5K Run & Walk scheduled