The dash causing a splash in Houston
Richard Higgins
The Signal
It was not Christmas, Halloween, Saint Patrick’s Day or even Mardi Gras, but zombies and fairies moved through the crowd.
There was not a primary or pastel color in sight, but there were plenty of black lights and neon colors.
The Neon Splash Dash, self-proclaimed as “The most magical 5k on earth!” originated Oct. 20, 2012, in Chandler, AZ. Houston’s recent splash dash was a nighttime fun run/walk to benefit local charity Team Red White and Blue that took place at Reliant Stadium March 23.
Houston was chosen because “we felt like this was a fun, young city,” said Moriah Smith, event coordinator.
The charity recipient, Team RWB, is an organization started in 2006 to benefit soldiers who have returned from active duty. The organization’s mission is “to connect America’s veterans to their community through physical and social activity.”
“This is a great combination of those two activities,” said Melanie Bundoc, Army veteran and Team RWB athletic director. “It’s our turn to help.”
The organization has roots in Houston and plans to stay.
“We are here for the long run and do not want to simply give a vet a new car or house and simply walk away,” said Gregg Besozzi, Army veteran and Team RWB social events director. “We reached out to Team Red White and Blue and they agreed that Houston would eagerly support and participate in the dash,” Smith said.
The Houston event proved to possess all of the craziness and fun advertised on the Neon Splash Dash’s website. Participants included young and old, men and women and professionals and college students.
Runners, walkers and dancers were encouraged to wear outlandish outfits. The only stipulation was to wear a white shirt of some sort over their outfit.
It quickly became evident that the shirt would not remain white for long. As the participants ambled through a course surrounding Reliant Stadium, volunteers would appear with bottles of colored neon paint that they would use to spray everyone from head to toe.
Several spectators did not wear a white shirt – a decision soon regretted as they were also sprayed with paint.
At the finish line, participants were covered with a spectrum of brightly colored neon paints. Their shirts were no longer white.
One group called themselves the Technicolor Zombies. They were dressed in bright neon colors with their faces adorned with dark paint and makeup scars.
“I am here to support the charity and my mom, who wants to get more exercise for her health,” said Brianna Porter, technicolor zombie and sophomore at Dickinson High School.
Likewise, the excitement was common with the entire team.
“This is a great outlet to have fun with the family,” said Caetlyn Franzke, fellow zombie and sophomore at Santa Fe High School.
There were several corporate sponsors, including Sports Authority, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society KRBE Radio and Texas Boot Camp.
KRBE had a family team that arrived early so they would not miss any of the activities.
“This is a fun family and kid time,” said Monica Conner, KRBE employee and runner from Houston.
Then there were those on the team that were all about the fun.
“I wanted to have family here with me so someone could drive me home after all the exercise,” said Annie Musil, KRBE employee and walker. “I just wanted to get my glow on.”
It was a wild, wacky and entertaining event for runners and spectators alike.
This was Neon Splash Dash’s maiden event in Houston and, as such, there were some minor glitches.
“There was a two-hour wait to pick up team packets the day before the event,” said Chelsey Tullis, sales manager for the Post Oak location of Sports Authority. “We need to improve that process.”
Postings and comments on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook have shown an enthusiasm for and curiosity about future Neon Splash Dash events in Houston.
Although there is not currently another Neon Splash Dash scheduled for Houston, based on the turnout of more than 6,000 participants and the interest on social media, there will probably be another visit of this event to our city.
Information about the Neon Splash Dash can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NeonSplashDash?fref=ts or on their website at http://www.neonsplashdash.com/.
Photos and slideshow by Reggie Butler: The Signal.
