By Emily Burleigh

More than 100 Southwest Louisiana locals are expected to join the second annual CASA West CenLA 5K Color Run at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, in Downtown DeRidder’s Flag Plaza, 120 S Washington St.

This colorful event kicks off Child Abuse Prevention Month and benefits CASA’s services; CASA is a volunteer organization that advocates for foster children.

“The 5K Color Run is an opportunity for CASA of West CenLA to bring awareness to child abuse and neglect to our communities,” said Tommy Edwards, CASA executive director. “The great work our advocates do for the children of our communities is amazing.”

The event will spread awareness of CASA’s services and Child Abuse Prevention Month. Beth Wilcox, CASA lead advocate supervisor, explained that Gold Level or higher level sponsors will receive a 4-foot by 2-foot Child Abuse Prevention Month banner with their business logo or name to display.

“This will benefit the sponsor and CASA for future years as they display them,” she said.

In just three months of preparation and planning for this year’s 5K, CASA was able to secure 22 sponsors.

Runners will also receive “Racer Reg bags” that will content promotional items and information about Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Last year’s inaugural run was a success, with about 200 participants gathering in DeRidder’s flag plaza.

“Our first annual 5K Color Run more than met our expectations, superseded them immensely,” Edwards said. 

Participants in the 5K Color Run become running rainbows.

Edwards explained that at the beginning of the run, participants are provided with a packet of colored powder.

“When it is time for the race to begin they all throw their color up in the air over their heads and it gets all over all the participants,” he explained. “This year we will also have 2 stations that when the runners pass by they will be ‘squirted’ with more color.