Tutus, Rainbows and Girl Scouts at Cal State San Bernardino

By 8 a.m. the temperature had already reached into the nineties and thousands of runners gathered at the starting line. The temperature would top 106°F by the time the last runner took her mark. On Sept. 7, the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council hosted the 5K Colorful Dash, a unique paint race to celebrate individuality and self-esteem. The 3.1 mile course explored the Cal State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) campus and the event drew an impressive turnout of 3,700 people, with 3,450 participating in the actual race. “You could really feel the energy in the crowd,” said Colorful Dash coordinator Elizabeth Locke-Thomas. All ages, from toddlers to grandparents, arrived—mostly in plain white T-shirts—ready to be doused in clouds of prismatic powder color. Many Girl Scouts danced and sang alongside their families. Troops and even some parents arrived in matching tutus and hair bows. The official motto of the Colorful Dash was, “Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful.” A Pinterest contest took place in the weeks before the race, where contestants pinned images that best represented their individuality and inner beauty. “We decided our race theme should promote self-esteem. Talk about knocking it out of the park! The number-one thing said over and over again was, ‘I am so proud of myself! I can’t believe I did this!’” said Locke-Thomas. That’s not surprising considering 75 percent of participants had never taken part in a 5K race before. Completing the event was truly a landmark moment for many families from Riverside and San Bernardino. Micah Garner, a runner, said, “Our troops had a great time doing this. I especially liked the fact that we all got out and were active and still had fun.” Inside the VIP tent, open exclusively to registered Girl Scouts and special guests, granola and gourmet nut mixes from the upcoming fall product sale were available for sampling. Several stations inside the tent also offered activities, such as an affirmation station. Sam, a Girl Scout, wrote on her affirmation badge, “I like me because I’m kind and courageous,” and displayed the badge on her color-splashed shirt. Near the Dash finish line, families could be seen dancing and tossing packets of brightly tinted powder high into the air, while the smash-hit Gangnam Style pumped from the speakers of the dance party DJ. Mary Swartzel, who volunteered at the event, said, “I had the privilege to work as a color thrower. I would do this again any time. I don't think I have ever seen so many happy and colorful people.”