Students gathered on Sunday, April 12, 2026, for a vibrant mix of fitness, color, and community at the Color Run, hosted by Student Involvement, Leadership & Activities (SILA) and the running club Scrambled Legs. The free event featured a 4-kilometer course lined with colored powder chalk stations and ended with frozen yogurt for participants.
The run drew roughly 130-150 participants, including students, volunteers and members of the broader campus community. Participants followed the route through campus roads and walkways, passing color stations staffed by volunteers along the course, with the start and finish line at the Pioneer Memorial Church parking lot. Organizers said the event was designed to be inclusive, encouraging participants to complete the course at their own pace rather than treating it as a competition.
For many students, the Color Run served as a break from academic stress during a busy point in the semester.
“I think it’s good because it’s a way to [relieve stress],” said senior student Gabby Ratteray. “Exercise can help with that.”
Junior student Kayla Garnett, who finished as the first female runner, said the atmosphere stood out most. “Everybody’s out here, with smiles on their faces,” she said.
Freshman Jean Alexandre said the event highlighted the accessibility of running. “Most people don’t see how fun running can be until they actually do it,” he said. He added that the run also offered a mental break from academics. “Definitely a way to just space out and not think about school, to recharge a bit.”
Scrambled Legs club leaders said their goal is to make running more approachable for all students, not just experienced athletes. “You don’t have to be a runner to run,” said senior Helena Hilton, the club’s public relations officer.
Hilton said the club has seen significant growth since it started in 2024, rising from about 100 members to roughly 160. She attributed the growth to improved organization, stronger outreach and more engaging events.
John Kim, president of Scrambled Legs, said the Color Run reflects the club’s broader mission of building community through movement. “The Color Run, in its core, is just to bring people together,” he said.
Darius Bridges, the dean of SILA, said organizers planned carefully for turnout, including accessories such as colored sunglasses and white apparel, and prepared for up to 200 participants despite uncertainty in attendance.
“I don’t do small things. I like to do things big,” Bridges said.
He added that the goal is to create lasting engagement beyond a single event. “You’re going to get people who sign up for your club next year because of this event,” he said.
Organizers said they chose the 4K distance to keep the course accessible and still challenging. Volunteers and color stations were placed throughout the route, helping create a high-energy atmosphere from start to finish.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.