Over the Rainbow Runs goes out with bang

The final Over the Rainbow Runs took place on October 18, wrapping up a suc­cessful five-year run. This year, 82 runners took on the course, spread over the 10K, Half Marathon, and Rainbow Relay (each runner running a quar­ter-marathon) races. It was a smoking fast year, with five course records set for different divisions.

Left to right, photos via Katie Wallace:

• Jesse Cruce cruises down Kanab City Trail.

• The three “Dead F’n Last” runners happy to be done.

• Over the Rainbow Runs volunteers.

• Olivier Tardy, winner of the Half Marathon.

• Deena Simpson shows off her rainbow uni­corn costume.

• Roman Jefferson climbs up Cliff Trail

It was also the first time the race held a costume contest, meaning there was a wizard, a skeleton and a unicorn out on course!

The runners were treated to perfect weather, gummy bears and peanut butter pretzels at aid stations, and an all-you-can-eat burrito bar at the fin­ish. After the race, run­ners raved about the volunteers, the sense of community, the joy they felt and the beau­tiful surroundings.

Over the Rainbow Runs is an all-volun­teer effort, with all proceeds going to the Kane County Chil­dren’s Justice Center. In five years, the group raised over $11,000 for the KCCJC. We’re especially grateful to our sponsors, who have minimized our overhead and allowed us to provide a larger donation. These in­clude Love Realty, Willow Canyon Out­door Company, Kanab Tour Company, Kane County Office of Tour­ism, Gu, Quality Print­ing, UltrAspire, Tilted Mesa Catering and Bakery, and Grand Staircase Escalante Partners. We are also grateful to in-kind gear support from the Utah/ Arizona ATV Club, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Red Rock Dance Studio and the Bureau of Land Management.

Congratulations to all the runners and thank you to all the volunteers! Though we’re sad to close the books on the race, we’re so happy it happened.