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photo gallery and video: Thousands dash through Ypsilanti in city's first Color Run

By Melanie Maxwell Staff Photographer

Posted on Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 11:17 a.m.

Thousands of runners line up for the start of the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

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Thousands of runners line up for the start of the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

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Thousands of runners line up for the start of the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_06_fullsize.jpg
A runner is sprayed with yellow powder in the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_07_fullsize.jpg
Runners make their way through the dust in the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_08_fullsize.jpg
A giant bag of orange colored powder is ready for volunteers to throw over participants in the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_01_fullsize.jpg
A runner is sprayed with orange powder in the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_09_fullsize.jpg
Runners make their way through the orange powder stop in the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_10_fullsize.jpg
Thousands of runners make their way down a street at the start of the Color Run 5K Sunday morning in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS01_fullsize.JPG
Thousands of runners cross the start line of the Color Run 5K Sunday morning in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS02_fullsize.JPG
Thousands of runners make their way down a street at the start of the Color Run 5K Sunday morning in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS03_fullsize.JPG
Ann Arbor resident Danica Whitfield throws paint at runners in a color zone Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS04_fullsize.JPG
A volunteer scoops up paint from a bucket Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS05_fullsize.JPG
A volunteer fills their bucket with blue powder to throw over participants in the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_02_fullsize.jpg
Runners make their way through a color zone Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS06_fullsize.JPG
A runner is sprayed with pink powder in the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_03_fullsize.jpg
Taylor resident Bill Andersen stops to pick up his step-daugher Paige Jarvis, 2, Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS07_fullsize.JPG
Runners throw pink powder into the air as they participate in the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_04_fullsize.jpg
A runner does a "snow" angel in pink powder during the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_05_fullsize.jpg
A young girl watches runners from the sidewalk Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS08_fullsize.JPG
Grand Blanc resident Jessica Smith pushes her daughter Alice, 4, Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS09_fullsize.JPG
Volunteers Janell and Jessica Dow of Brighton laugh as runners are covered with paint Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS10_fullsize.JPG
Bushes and trees are covered in a cloud of orange paint Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS11_fullsize.JPG
Wearing a leotard and tutu, Andy Holt, of South Lyon, lifts his one-year-old McKenna, off his shoulders as they hang out at a dance party at Riverside Park after the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/02 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_21_fullsize.jpg
Monroe residents John and Jeanna Hummel hold hands as they make their way down a street Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS12_fullsize.JPG
Ypsilanti resident Shante Jackson gets ready to throw paint on runners Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS12.5_fullsize.JPG
Aaron Dick, 19, of Temperance, proposes to his girlfriend Alexis Miller, 20, of Temperance, after the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. She said yes. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_11_fullsize.jpg
Thousands gather at Riverside Park after the race during the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_12_fullsize.jpg
Ann Arbor resident Heather Atwood holds up her arms and runs through paint as she runs with her friend Jackie Dobson Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. "We're wearing dresses in honor of our 20-year friendship celebration," Atwood said. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS13_fullsize.JPG
A runner crowd surfs after the race at Riverside Park during the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_13_fullsize.jpg
HVA Paramedic Rachel Brunelle of Chelsea rides her bike through a color zone Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS14_fullsize.JPG
HVA Paramedic Kevin Freeman rides his bike through a color zone Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS15_fullsize.JPG
A volunteer stands barefoot Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS16_fullsize.JPG
Ypsilanti resident Bethany Schultz throws paint at runners Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS17_fullsize.JPG
Ypsilanti resident Tom Martin walks his dog Tohts Sunday morning during the Color Run 5K in downtown Ypsilanti. Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS/cache/072212_NEWS_COLORRUN_JMS18_fullsize.JPG
A runner gets a better view from the shoulders of a friend after the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_14_fullsize.jpg
A runner pumps his fist during a dance party at Riverside Park after the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_15_fullsize.jpg
Participants dance and scream during a dance party at Riverside Park after the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_16_fullsize.jpg
/calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_17_fullsize.jpg
Participants dance and scream during a dance party at Riverside Park after the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_18_fullsize.jpg
Participants dance and scream during a dance party at Riverside Park after the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_19_fullsize.jpg
Landry, a greyhound rescue, is covered in colorful powder after the Ypsilanti Color Run 5K on Sunday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Color Run/cache/072212_NEWS_Color_Run_MRM_20_fullsize.jpg

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The first Ypsilanti "Color Run, " in which onlookers tossed colored cornstarch at those running or walking in the 5K event, drew thousands of participants to the city Sunday.

The Ypsilanti run was one of a series nationwide.

The first-ever Color Run happened in Tempe, Ariz. in January, but the event has already garnered a cult following, earning a quarter of a million “likes” on Facebook in a short time, and expanding this year’s originally planned 18-city tour to a 44-city tour.

Ypsilanti runners started in Depot Town and continued to the campus of Eastern Michigan University and downtown Ypsilanti, finally ending back in Riverside Park.

Photographers Melanie Maxwell and Jeffrey Smith captured these images.

Tags: Color Run, The Color Run

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