Where Will Color Take You? 5K and 1-Mile Walk & Roll Highlights
Youth Challenge, in partnership with the Sherwin Williams Women’s Club, had another very successful Where Will Color Take You? 5K and 1-Mile Walk & Roll event at the Cleveland MetroParks Zoo on June 15. Over 1,300 people registered for the race. Attendees had three races to choose from: a Kids’ Dash, a 5K and a 1-Mile Walk & Roll. YC participants and volunteers joined other members of the Youth Challenge and Sherwin Williams’ community in racing through the zoo. View 5K race results here.
The Sherwin-Williams Women’s Club, led by Race Chair Katie Speer and Vice Chair Paige Staggs, took the lead in planning the festivities. The event kicked off with a stretching session led by YC staff members Sara Steimle, Olivia Lane, and Laurel Sweet. Attendees enjoyed music from DJ Rimon, carnival games, snacks, and ice cream in the Palava Hut. YC even had an adapted art station. In addition, new this year, race attendees had the opportunity to share “What Do You Race For?” by writing on a paper hand and adding it to a board. Several mascots joined the party, including Moondog from the Cavs, Chomps from the Cleveland Browns, Ketchup, Mustard and Onion from the Cleveland Guardians, Sully from CLE City Dogs, and YC’s own narwhal mascot! This year, the mascots had their own race before the Kid’s Dash, and Moondog took the gold!
Dave Hardman, President of the Board of Trustees, had the vision to support Youth Challenge through an annual Race Day in the 1980s. The Hardman Family and Mary Sue Tanis, Founder of Youth Challenge, rang the bell to kick off each race.
Youth Challenge raised over $90,000 from the event, including $30,000 from the Sherwin-Williams Foundation, matching $25,000 in sponsorships, and $5,000 in individual donations. The event would not have been possible without each of our sponsors:
- Champion Sponsor: Fleet Response
- Color Sponsor: Oatey
- Friend Sponsors: Kaulig Giving, Charles Schwab, Don’s Lighthouse Grille, First Federal Lakewood, the Hardman Family, Mike’s Kids
