RLC sponsoring red powder at “Living Color Living United 5K” in August

MT. VERNON, Ill. (July 9, 2014) - Rend Lake College is inviting everyone to get doused in red powder and a dozen other colors at the “Living Color Living United 5K” next month in Mt. Vernon, hosted by the United Way of South Central Illinois (UWSCI). The annual run and walk is scheduled to start at 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 2.

This year, RLC red will be one of several new colors scattered throughout the course, with a new covering about once every quarter mile. Participants are asked to wear white for the best result at the end of the event. Lynn Hutchison, UWSCI Community Resource Director, said the path will be exactly the same as last year, starting and finishing at Veterans Memorial Park in Mt. Vernon.

“We had so many positive comments about last year that we decided not to fix what isn’t broken,” said Hutchison. “We had between 700 and 800 5K participants, but there were so many people who put in a lot of hard work as volunteers who aren’t counted as participants. We’re right on track with where we were last year.”

All of the money raised by the event will go toward the UWSCI and their annual campaign, which helps fund a number of programs in four Southern Illinois counties: Jefferson, Marion, Washington, and Wayne. The areas receiving funding include education, financial stability, and health of the community.

“Last year was our first year having a color run and the response was overwhelming. We expect this year’s 5K to be even bigger and better than last year,” said Rhonda Edmonson, Executive Director of the UWSCI.

The event is untimed and there are no official winners. There is no age limit to participate. Adults 13 and up can register for $30. Children 12 and under can be registered for $10. All participants who register by Saturday, July 19, will receive an official event T-shirt.

“We hope everyone comes out to get covered in Rend Lake College red and all the other colors at the Living Color Living United 5K,” said ReAnne Palmer, RLC Public Information Specialist. “It’s a great way to support the United Way and the local community, all while having a blast.”

To register, visit www.uwsci.org/color or stop by the United Way of South Central Illinois office, located at 802 S. 42^nd St. in Mt. Vernon. Contact the UWSCI at 618-242-8000 or at uwsci@mvn.net. Updates on the race can be found on the UWSCI’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/UnitedWayofSouthCentralIllinois.