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5/28/2014

Wearing bright colors such as hot pink, orange, yellow and green, as well as light-up accessories, could help participants win a prize for best outfit at the Glow Run. Arrive early for free face-painting and a Glow Zumba warmup, and stay late for the LIGHT EM’ UP after-party.

Wearing bright colors such as hot pink, orange, yellow and green, as well as light-up accessories, could help participants win a prize for best outfit at the Glow Run. Arrive early for free face-painting and a Glow Zumba warmup, and stay late for the LIGHT EM’ UP after-party.

To be told “you’re glowing” is a compliment usually reserved for women on their wedding day or during their pregnancy. But what about the fellas? Can’t men glow, too? Seems the only time a guy might be described as glowing is after he just finished having “the most fun you can have in a night.”

While the Glow Run 5K’s claim is… debatable, to put it mildly, the annual event is definitely worth doing if you ask those who do it. It’s more of a rave than a race. The Glow Run 5K brings together friends in neon running shorts and sweat bands, meshes the garb with day-glow paint and illuminates them with black lights. Thus, “the glow” effect is in force. Couple that with the comforting belief that, because you’re running a 5K, you can indulge a little more on the guilty pleasures that weekend, and it’s easy to see why the event claims the “most fun you can have in a night” distinction.

Though it is a run, and it is for five kilometers, this experience is less about how fast you can run and more about learning the fine art of dance-running to a DJ’s pumping techno beats for the 3.1 miles of doing the Tootsie Roll, lawnmower, sprinkler and/or the proverbial Dougie.

“We’re impressed by the creativity and enthusiasm that glow-runners bring to the event,” said Glow Run 5K team member, Hollie. “Their positivity and excitement make the event so enjoyable, and their attitude helps make running fun again.”

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As the temperatures continue to rise in the capital city, it can be difficult to get off the couch and into a tightly tied pair of running shoes. While the Glow Run isn’t about competition, it is a great opportunity to consider beginning a new workout regiment. The mid-day heat isn’t bearing down, being out with friends helps to keep enthusiasm up, and, along with running, the infectious music will awaken those hibernating muscles.

The fun continues into the night as run turns to rave with thousands of glowing people lighting up the street. Each of the Glow Zones is filled with a variety of colored lights and black lights, which is perfect for taking pictures along the way, culminating to an after-party where awards for outstanding outfits and dancers and other prizes will be given away.

“We’ve seen some great moves from guests of all ages, and each run brings something new,” Hollie said. “However, guests don’t need to have specific moves, as long as they have fun with it.” CV                

David Rowley is an Iowa native with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa and a master’s in film journalism from the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

 

Glow Run 5K
WHEN: Sunday, May 31 at 8:30 p.m.
COST: $45/individual or $40/each with a team of four; military service members, veterans and kids, $25. Participants receive a medal, T-shirt, glow paraphernalia and free entry into the Science Center after-party.
 

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