Runners take on the heat for Tanger Outlet’s first Back-to-School Color Dash and Splash

POOLER, Ga. (WTOC) - Runners took on the heat Saturday for a good cause. The shopping center hosted its very first Back-to-School Color Dash and Splash benefiting a local nonprofit, Blessings in a Bookbag.

A colorful kickoff to Saturday morning with a race starting and vibrantly colored powders filling the air.

It was all part of Tanger Outlet’s very first Back-to-School Color Dash and Splash.

Runners went from white to bright in no time with the event’s 5K and Fun Run.

With water to cool them down and metals to liven them up, the powdered participants made their way to the finish line.

Organizers said Saturday’s event was the city of Pooler’s first color run, and for participants like Amber Myers, it was a success.

“It’s super fun. I made two friends. We struggled together. We had fun together. We got colored together,” said Amber Myers.

Having fun and giving back- a colorful collaboration for everyone.

Tanger Outlets partnered with the non-profit Blessings in a Bookbag which works to provide students in the community with access to food and resources during the school year.

Those not running the distance were able to give back in other ways as well, dropping things off like new bookbags, pencils and uniforms.

Mahogany Bower, the nonprofit’s CEO, said each donation they receive, including food, is crucial in setting students up for a successful school year.

“A lot don’t understand that Monday through Friday, kids may eat at school when school is in, but on the weekend that need is still there. So, Blessings in a Bookbag for the past fifteen years has been able to try to help fill that hunger gap and that resource gap,” said Bowers.

This was the first year for the event, but organizers hope to make it an annual thing with future races hopefully held on a much cooler day.

“It was hot...but it was a lot of fun. It was our first one that we’ve done here, so you know. We’d definitely do it again,” said participants, Angie Mingledorff and Jira Blair.