Runners lit up the streets of Downtown Mt. Pleasant this past Friday, July 31st, as they awaited the start of the first annual Glow in the Art 5k. Children, teens, and adults alike coated themselves in glow in the dark bracelets, necklaces, and paint in preparation for this late night run through the city’s park system. Each pre-registered runner was provided a t-shirt, bracelet, necklace, and body paint to help brighten their glow, although many runners came decked out in their own glow gear as well.
Art Reach’s newly constructed classroom and back patio addition was filled with runners for registration and the pre-party by 8:30 p.m. At the pre-party, participants enjoyed covering themselves in glow sticks and glow in the dark paint, several outdoor games, and music, courtesy of WCFX radio. As the clock approached 10 p.m., more and more people filled the streets laughing, stretching, and getting ready for the race.
Volunteers pumped up runners as they lined up for the start under a giant light up arch, just outside of Jockey Alley in Downtown Mt. Pleasant. As the runners took off down the glow stick lined route, they were greeted by light rain, but luckily the showers were short lived and no match for the excitement of runners and volunteers alike.
Some of the first runners returned in under 20 minutes, while others walked, jogged, and wheeled their way across the finish line over the next hour. As they crossed the finish, runners were welcomed back by congratulatory cheers from volunteers and fellow runners. Participants excitedly shared their feedback on the event, and indulged in post-race bananas, granola bars, water, glow in the dark cotton candy, and cookies.
Although the rain interfered with the late night painting of the intersection of Main and Broadway, everyone seemed to have truly enjoyed the event. The painting has since been moved to Saturday, August 8th from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.! With a turnout of 219 runners and more than 40 volunteers, the first annual Glow in the Art 5k was 
certainly a fun and successful event for everyone and we can’t wait to see what 2016 will bring. For more information visit www.meetmtp.com/glow-in-the-art-5k-190 and check out #GlowintheArt on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
