Image courtesy of David Wiggins
CULLMAN – Saturday morning's light drizzle did nothing to dampen the spirits of the runners at East Elementary School's first-ever Shamrock Shuffle Color Run. More than 150 people from around the community were signed up even before this morning's last-minute registration, and the total number of runners was estimated to be around 200. Armed with bags and bottles of green powder, event organizers made sure each and every runner that passed by got into the St. Patrick's Day spirit.
With a whole new crew of officers, this year the East Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) decided they wanted to do something unique for a fundraiser.
"Everyone has a fall festival," said East Elementary Principal David Wiggins. "I suggested doing something in the spring. The PTO met, talked about it, and came up with the Shamrock Shuffle Color Run."
The run's main goal in the coming years will be to update the playground equipment with pieces that are more fitness-oriented. Wiggins says he wants to offer students a "healthy, active lifestyle," which is harder to do with the antiquated playground pieces currently in use.
The Shuffle offered two events: a mile-long run and a 5K run. Wiggins says that since this was the first year, both events were just for fun. However, in years to come, organizers aim to make the mile run a noncompetitive event while the 5K will be timed, with sponsors providing prizes for runners.
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