The Color Run Atlanta Motor Speedway

Saturday, April 4, 2015

I am still getting the dust and glitter off of me. Why you ask. Did I get glitter bombed? Was I spending time in the desert? The answer is simple. I choose to get into the middle of things that I photograph instead of hanging back. I dive in and when that involves The Color Run at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton over the weekend I get doused in as much glitter and multi-colored dust as the racers themselves.

Thousands of people came out to Hampton early Saturday morning as the clouds parted and the sun started to shine for the 5k that has become known as one of the happiest races in the world. Volunteers were stationed around the outside of the race track at five strategic points ready to deluge the runners in silver, yellow, pink, blue and orange dust.

The after party involved even more color as tired runners were given their medals as well as their own packets of crazy, loud colored powder. The deejay got them all into a fevered pitch with giveaways and yes even more colored dust. As he counted down from 10 the sky darkened as I knelt to grab a low shot of the dust being thrown into the air. It felt for a brief second that I was in an actual dust storm as people disappeared from view and my viewfinder was just a swirl of color. If you haven’t had the chance to participate in this 5k yet make plans to asap.

Catherine Baldo (center), Chiara Norce and Lizzie Baldo pick up their race packets before the start of The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Catherine Baldo (center), Chiara Norce and Lizzie Baldo pick up their race packets before the start of The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Kaenan Moreno (right) and her sisters Dekotah and Debbie have their photo taken with The Color Run mascot as they wait for the start of the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Kaenan Moreno (right) and her sisters Dekotah and Debbie have their photo taken with The Color Run mascot as they wait for the start of the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Katie Tiner adjusts her tutu before the start of The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Katie Tiner adjusts her tutu before the start of The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Billie Jean Jeffcoat (center) dances to a zumba warmup with her stuffed unicorn before the start of The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Billie Jean Jeffcoat (center) dances to a zumba warmup with her stuffed unicorn before the start of The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Meghan Farrell (center) leads a group of runners in a zumba warm up as they wait for the start of The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Meghan Farrell (center) leads a group of runners in a zumba warm up as they wait for the start of The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Peyton Ledoux (center) and other racers participate in a zumba warm up as they wait for the start of The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Peyton Ledoux (center) and other racers participate in a zumba warm up as they wait for the start of The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

The first wave of racers line up for the start of The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

The first wave of racers line up for the start of The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Ashley Carrigan (center) is raised on her father's shoulders as they wait for the start of The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Ashley Carrigan (center) is raised on her father’s shoulders as they wait for the start of The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

The first wave of racers leave the starting line during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

The first wave of racers leave the starting line during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Lauren Henson runs through a cloud of silver colored dust during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Lauren Henson runs through a cloud of silver colored dust during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Silver colored dust is thrown at racers as they pass by during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Silver colored dust is thrown at racers as they pass by during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Morgan White (left) and Amanda Beard run through a cloud of silver colored dust during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Morgan White (left) and Amanda Beard run through a cloud of silver colored dust during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Runners are covered in silver colored dust during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Runners are covered in silver colored dust during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Covered in silver colored dust, Haven Maruyama (left) grabs handfuls of the powder to throw at racers during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Covered in silver colored dust, Haven Maruyama (left) grabs handfuls of the powder to throw at racers during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Bianca Cain is covered in yellow colored dust during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Bianca Cain is covered in yellow colored dust during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Covered in yellow colored dust, Chelesie Leath grabs handfuls of the powder to throw at racers during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Covered in yellow colored dust, Chelesie Leath grabs handfuls of the powder to throw at racers during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Hailee Brand (left) and other racers throw yellow colored dust into the air during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Hailee Brand (left) and other racers throw yellow colored dust into the air during The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Candace Stanley throws her hands in the air as she crosses the finish line for The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Candace Stanley throws her hands in the air as she crosses the finish line for The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Claire Watson (left) covers herself with green colored dust  after crossing the finish line for The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Claire Watson (left) covers herself with green colored dust after crossing the finish line for The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Amy Hartman (left) and Bailey Denton throw yellow and orange colored dust into the air during the after party for The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Amy Hartman (left) and Bailey Denton throw yellow and orange colored dust into the air during the after party for The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Klara Andra-Thomas (center) covers her face as different colored dust is thrown  into the air during the after party for The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Klara Andra-Thomas (center) covers her face as different colored dust is thrown into the air during the after party for The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Orange colored dust covers Christine Schuvart (right) during the after party for The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

Orange colored dust covers Christine Schuvart (right) during the after party for The Color Run at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton on Saturday, April 4, 2015.