Michael ’ s Mile Color Fun Run Delights Again
By: Orange County Communications
On Saturday, June 1, Orange County Parks & Recreation and the Orange Healthy Community Action Team (HCAT) held their annual Michael ’ s Mile Color Fun Run at Booster Park! This event enjoyed nearly 90 pre - registrations, with a few additional day - of participants. In total, almost 100 folks took part in this carefree kaleidoscope of fun. After registration, each runner grabbed a cup of color powder and headed to the starting line. Following opening remarks and a dramatic countdown, the contents of the cups were flung into the air to create the initial “ color powder cloud. ” Then, they were off!
For the last several years, the course has been approximately one - mile, created by directing runners to make two laps around the upper access roads of the park. At several points along the course, volunteers are ready with condiment bottles filled with
Filling color powder bottles is a messy job, but someone ’ s got to do it.
even more powder. As participants race by, they are showered with this additional color, turning each ’ s commemorative event t - shirt into a unique work of art. Michael ’ s Mile is named in honor of Michael Ridgeway, a young boy from Orange County who tragically died at age six. He was a "smiler" and a giver who would often show up to his kindergarten class with homemade presents for everyone. At the start of this year ’ s event, Michael ’ s mother, Ann Ridgeway, took a moment to talk to event participants about her son ’ s lasting legacy, the Michael ’ s Gift Youth Activities Scholarship program. Michael's family and friends thought the best way to keep his memory alive was to create a program that would reflect his caring attitude
Parks & Recreation Director Tim Moubray introduces Michael ’ s mother, Ann Ridgeway, who gave some opening remarks to help participants understand the meaning and impact of this run and the scholarship program it supports.
toward others, and from this desire, the scholarship was established. The program helps families offset the cost of enrolling their children in enrichment activities such as youth sports, art classes, music lessons, and
more. Funds raised from Michael ’ s Mile Color Fun Run registration fees are allocated to support this scholarship opportunity, helping this event spread joy and healthy activity far beyond the run itself. More information about Michael ’ s Gift can be found at www.orangecountyva.gov/285/Michaels - Gift. Michael ’ s Mile has been around in one form or another for a decade, with some missed years and several restructures. Some may remember that the event was originally a timed youth track
A throwback photograph from 2014’ s Michael ’ s Mile. The original event was held in a track meet format for youth in grades K - 5. However, it still had the mission of supporting the Michael ’ s Gift Scholarship program.
Page 19 | June 2024
Powered by FlippingBook