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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / race report: the neon vibe 5k

race report: the neon vibe 5k

March 11, 2014      14 Comments

I think I’ve come to the conclusion that night racing is not for me. It’s hard to get myself going and it’s even harder to keep up my stamina.

However, a glowing, nighttime fun run?

The Neon Vibe 5K

I’m always up for something new.

The Neon Vibe 5K came to Metropolitan Park in Jacksonville on Saturday night, and I thought it looked like fun. What was even more enticing was the fact that the partner charities were Children’s Miracle Network (through friends)and Wolfson Children’s Hospital (where little man spent his first 10 days of life). I was thrilled to have the chance to support both these organizations, combined with a running event, so I registered and got ready to glow.

Packet pickup took place at a Fairfield Inn the day before the event. I headed over and picked up my bag, which included a bib, very plain Neon Vibe T-shirt, tattoo, and a bag of powdered glow color. We were supposed to bring that to the race, presumably to toss during the race or at the after party, where the coolest color splattering occurs when everyone flings plumes of color in the air as a group.

There was also the opportunity to purchase Neon Vibe merchandise. They had some neat things, but I was more interested in glow necklaces and accessories than actual t-shirts or tanks, so I passed.

Due to my injury, I wasn’t planning to really run. However, I did want to be festive, so I got myself geared up with a white t-shirt (one that I could live with being ruined), white shutter glasses, capris with a neon stripe, old sneakers and some glow necklaces. I wish I had made time to get some more in a variety of colors, but… next time.

I picked up my friend, E, at 5:45 on Saturday evening to head over. The run was supposed to start at 7:00PM, but she still had to get her packet (she registered that day to keep me company) and we thought we would have enough time to park, because the website said they actually wouldn’t start until the sun went down completely. Obviously, glow-in-the-dark runs are better in the dark.

When we arrived at Metropolitan Park, we were stunned by how crowded it was already. We managed to find (make, actually) a parking spot across the street in the Everbank Field lot, but it took a while to maneuver. We got ourselves together and then hiked over to registration and the start line.

The place was packed. Participants were already covered in glowing, colored powder, and I admit, I felt a little underdressed. I admit to not spending tons of time on my outfit, but now I have a bar set for next time. On the plus side, I loved seeing the creative costumes and tutus. It made for great people-watching.

After E got her bib, we found the restrooms and then navigated our way to the start line. We were lined up under an overpass, which was kind of neat.

Music was pumping from the stage set up in the park and there was an air of excitement. My experience with color runs is that they release small groups at a time so as not to clog the course or subsequent color stations. It’s annoying at the start line, but I get the rationale. True to form, this was no different, and we didn’t get up to the starting corral until about 7:50 or so.

There, under the black lights, we counted down, and got nailed with a huge color dump from volunteers on all sides.  Then we were all released to the course and off we went into the dark streets.

After the initial rush, everyone kind of settled down, and E and I just kept up a nice, brisk walk. It was great to get my legs moving (and she was recovering from an eight mile run that morning), and I was glad for the company and conversation.

If I recall correctly, there were four or five color stations set up along the way, each one is a different hue. Participants had the option to walk right up to the volunteers and black lights, get doused and continue on, or skirt the area completely, as each station only took up one side of the street. We took our chances and got doused.

However, the second station was my favorite. This one was set up for Children’s Miracle Network, and on hand to help were little Jack & Luke. These sweet guys are the 2013 Champions for Florida, and have been ambassadors for this amazing cause for the year. I have had the pleasure of knowing them (and their wonderful family) for two years, and can say that they are really sweet and amazing kids, and have come so far and overcome so much since their days in the NICU. It was a privilege to be there supporting them.

They were also extremely enthusiastic about covering me with as much colored powder as they could!

We stayed long enough for hugs and then moved out of the way to let other people have their turn.

The course wound around Everbank Field and the surrounding streets. It would have been nice to have more music along the way, to keep the party vibe going, but the volunteers at the color stations and water stop were fun and enthusiastic and time passed pretty quickly.

And then we were back at the finish line. A stage was set up in the far end of the park, with music and dancing, and people could purchase food and drink at the three or four food trucks situated across the way. We were going to hang out a little, but volunteers were shooting a lot of what seemed to be liquid color (I had just unwrapped the cellophane from my phone to try to get some last-minute pictures) and it was getting late. I had to be up at 5:45 for another 5K and E had had  long day.

Back at the car, we cleaned up with baby wipes, lined the seats with towels, changed into clean shirts and found our way back to the interstate.

Neon Vibe put on a good event. Just a few thoughts:

  • There could have been a few more  items included for the price of registration – glow in the dark glasses, glow bracelets, etc. These fun runs aren’t inexpensive, even with occasional discount codes or living social type deals, and I felt there could be some improvements in this area.
  • It also would have been nice to see some photographers on the course and at the finish line. It’s pretty challenging to get quality nighttime pics, especially with a baggie-protected cell phone, and the opportunities for gorgeous photos were limitless. There were black lights at the finish line, but not beyond, which created a bottleneck of people trying to get their end result pics. A few well placed cameras could have alleviated that, as well as maybe some black lit backdrops for some fun photos, as I’ve seen done at other color runs.

That being said, it was a fun night in support of a wonderful cause. If it comes back to the area, I’m likely to do it again, although I’ll be better prepared with a more fun outfit and lots more glow sticks!

Have you done the Neon Vibe (or similar night time color run)?

How do you feel about night time running?

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Comments

  1. Matilda says

    March 11, 2014 at 7:47 am

    I’ve run at night before, but does it count that it’s morning night? like 5am? does that count?
    Never done a neon run like this before. Have thought about it, but most of that stuff is in Melbourne and it’s too hard to travel 3 hours for a race that’s only 5km.
    Looks like fun though. And if it motivates people to get fit, then yeah do it.
    Matilda recently posted…Whole30 Round 3 – ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 11, 2014 at 3:13 pm

      Three hours is a hike for an untimed, “fun” event. Once in a while, it could be a fun time with some friends, but I definitely see your point. It was such a great crowd. I said to my friend that these runs are kind of like the new happy hour. Which, yeah. It’s getting people out and active and I love that.

      Reply
  2. Karen (@karenlovestorun) says

    March 11, 2014 at 10:39 am

    I have always wanted to do a neon run at night! This looks like so much fun and it sounds like you had a good time : )
    Karen @karenlovestorun
    Karen (@karenlovestorun) recently posted…Attitude AdjustmentMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 11, 2014 at 3:17 pm

      It was a great night! I’m always down for something new and this lived up to expectations.

      Reply
  3. Larissa says

    March 11, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    Fun! I agree with your end points; fun runs or short races never seem worth the $$ for me, esp. if Jon wants to do an event with me. Then we’re footing two registrations. But… I’m not a big racer, so it’s easy for me to talk myself out of one. 🙂

    That said, the top photo looks amazing – not your average fun run!
    Larissa recently posted…Season of changeMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 11, 2014 at 3:29 pm

      They can be expensive, but I think of it as this. I would probably spend similar on going out for drinks and dinner or shopping or some other form of entertainment and this, ultimately, is a healthier way to spend some hours. So, in that regard, it works out.

      Reply
  4. Chase says

    March 11, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    Great post, very thorough. We especially appreciate the feedback about what we can improve. Thanks Jenn!
    Chase recently posted…RegistrationMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 11, 2014 at 3:30 pm

      You guys did a wonderful job! I loved the energy and all the colors! I hope you continue to return to the area!

      Reply
  5. Kristen @ The Smith Summary says

    March 11, 2014 at 8:32 pm

    These types of runs are usually not my thing but this looks fun – I might have to try it if it comes to my city!
    Kristen @ The Smith Summary recently posted…Pizza BreadMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 12, 2014 at 12:37 am

      It was something a little different. I’m a sucker for glowsticks.

      Reply
  6. Diana says

    March 11, 2014 at 10:17 pm

    Looks like fun! I did a Color Run year before last, but that was during the day – yours looks like much more fun. =)
    Diana recently posted…ShoesMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 12, 2014 at 12:36 am

      I have two more scheduled for the next month. I’ll let you know which is my favorite 🙂

      Reply
  7. Debbie @ DebRuns says

    March 13, 2014 at 1:38 pm

    You are adorable in those photos! I’ve never done a color run or neon run, and I’ve only done one evening run. Glad you had fun!
    Debbie @ DebRuns recently posted…Flat Runner Guide To Dressing For Your RunMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 13, 2014 at 6:51 pm

      It was fun. I’m glad I went!

      Reply

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Welcome to Runs With Pugs. My name is Jenn and this is the story of my love affair with running and finding myself through fitness. From C25K to marathon, from triathlon to SUP, from broken leg to the recovery journey... I'm sharing it all. I'm a wife and mother of one, living in NE Florida, in love with travel, adventure, and food. Oh. We have a grumble of pugs, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!

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