The Color Run Dream Tour, Presented by Lay’s® to Partner with YMCA of Greater Erie

The Erie Sports Commission and the YMCA of Greater Erie are pleased to announce that The Color Run Dream Tour, Presented by Lay’s® has chosen the YMCA of Greater Erie as its charitable partner for the 2017 event. The Color Run, a for-profit race series based in Salt Lake City, Utah, will stop in Erie for the fourth year on Saturday, August 12.

As the local charity partner, the YMCA will receive a portion of the proceeds from The Color Run Dream Tour, Presented by Lay’s®. The YMCA will use the funds to benefit the Downtown YMCA’s Wellness for Veterans Program, which provides free wellness programs and YMCA memberships for veterans to help them deal with anxiety and the return to society.

Funds will be donated to the YMCA based on volunteers provided to staff the event, and Color Runners will be given the opportunity to donated directly to the Y during the registration process.

“The Downtown Y is honored to be chosen as the charity for The Color Run,” said Sean Beers, Branch Executive Director of the Downtown YMCA. “We will use the proceeds to fund our Wellness for Veterans Programming. Our goal is to provide veterans with a safe space where they can reconnect with their spirit, mind and body. Proceeds from The Color Run will make this goal obtainable by providing veterans with free memberships, wellness classes and social activities.”

“With a mission rooted in wellness, the YMCA of Greater Erie is a perfect fit to partner with The Color Run in 2017,” said Ron Sertz, Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission. “The Y is deeply ingrained in the Erie community, and gives so much to many people. I’m certain that a donation from The Color Run will go a long way in serving Erie’s veteran population through the YMCA.”

Founded in March 2011, The Color Run is the single largest event series in the world, having hosted more than 300 events in 35 countries. Dubbed “The Happiest 5K on the Planet,” it is an untimed 5K paint race in which thousands of Color Runners start the race wearing white and are doused from head to toe in different colors along the event course. The Color Run Dream Tour, Presented by Lay’s® will bring runners a fresh experience in 2017 with a brand-new Foam Zone, which will lead runners through dreamy colored foam, as well as new colors in the classic powder Color Zones. Along the course, participants can paint their aspirations on the Dream wall, snap photos with giant unicorns, and, of course, party with friends at the Finish Festival amidst vibrant bursts of color throws.

The race will begin at Perry Square in Downtown Erie and follow the same route as the 2016 event. Registration is available online through race day.

For more information, visit www.thecolorrun.com.