MANSFIELD, Ohio — Splashes of color painted the streets of Mansfield on Saturday for the Abstract Dash 5K.
The untimed race started and ended at the Mansfield Art Center.
At the beginning of the race, participants were doused with dyed powder made of corn starch during a group color toss. They then hit the road, where they encountered five color stations.
“It’s for adults, children, people of all ages,” said Mansfield Art Center Executive Director George Whitten of the event.
Proceeds go to the art center’s general fund to support all of their programs, Whitten said. Sponsors of the event included OhioHealth and the Mansfield YMCA.
Clear Fork graduates of 2014, Alison Johnson and Meghan Strickling, said they enjoyed participating in the race. “The course was a lot hillier than I expected,” Johnson said. “But it was a good workout.”
Strickling, who participated in the first Abstract Dash held at the Mansfield Art Center in 2013, said she’s currently training for a half marathon. “I’m super excited,” she said.
They both agreed the race was something fun to do.
“It was awesome,” said Danielle Landin. She ran the race with her friend, Jordan Brauchler, both of whom are Lexington graduates.
They said they’ve been training together, noting that Saturday’s race was their first 5K that they completed together. “And we want to do more,” Landin said.
They were also happy to have gotten covered in the colored powder. “I was afraid we wouldn’t get that much, but we’re pretty covered,” said Brauchler. “It just makes it more fun that way.”
Shelby High School student, Hayden Gray, said he participated in the first Abstract Dash. “This year’s was more fun,” he said. “I liked the different course and that they added a lot more color.”
Participants were given free admission to the Mansfield Art Center’s Art Explosion, an art and music festival that kicked off Saturday afternoon.
For more information about the Mansfield Art Center’s events, visit their website.
