FUN RUN part three!

Kicking off the 16th Annual First State Bank Car Show is the 3rd Annual Malta Parks & Recreation Color Fun Run.

The event that has hosted over ninety runners, walkers, and strollers in both 2016 and 2017 runs, is hosting two races on Saturday, June 2. The Color Run's 5K will start at 8:30 a.m. and will be followed by the Color Run's 1-mile run at 9:15 a.m.

"It kind of kicks off our Car Show (event)," Malta Parks and Recreation Co-Director Julia Tatafu said.

The two-run format was something that Tatafu and Co-Director Natalie Judd came up with for last year's event. According to Tatafu, switching from three runs to two worked out well.

"We just felt like things ran a lot more smoothly," Tatafu said. "Getting the color stations was a lot more obtainable with having only two stations instead of three. And honestly, when we had the 10K, we didn't have much participation in that."

The run, which helps support the Parks and Rec. Department and it's numerous activities had 98 runners in 2016 and 96 runners last year.

"We are hoping for the same numbers this year," Tatafu said.

The costs for the event depends on the age of the participant. Children three and under can run or ride in a stroller for free, children ages 4-17 are $5 per person and adults 18 and over are $15 per person.

"If you want to participate in both races you can," Tatafu said mentioning there is no additional fee for running both events.

The event will feature five stations of colors. The colors this year will be orange, purple, blue, red and green. Participants are encouraged to wear white or light colored shirts unless you don't want to get color thrown at you.

"Hopefully you will look like a rainbow by the time you are done," Tatafu said. "And if you don't want color (thrown at you), wear a black t-shirt."

Sponsors for the five colors stations include Independence Bank, First Security Bank, reACT!, Malta High School's Key Club, and the Lifeguards of Malta's City Pool. There will be an award given to the most festive station, an award the Independence Bank won last year.

"Runners will vote and then the winner will get a little prize from us," Tatafu said. "It's a fun event. Each station has music going and tables are decorated pretty cool. It's a fun atmosphere."

The event will also have helpers and water bottles for the runners donated by Albertson's.

Participants can register at Malta's City Hall or online at https://runsignup.com/Race/MT/Malta/MALTACOLORFUNRUN2018.

"You can register up to the day of the race," Tatafu said. "Just come a little earlier and we will have a table."

According to the event's website, the Color Fun Run's 5K will start at the back of Riverview Park (behind Malta High School), run to the bridge and turn left to run the M-Trail. The trail is about two miles. When you come to Central Avenue, turn right. Then turn left on Short Oil Road. Then turn left on 14th St. East into Hillcrest. Then turn left on Sapphire Avenue. Then turn left on 12th St. East and run along the whole Hillcrest Park and the skate park. Then turn right on Central coming out of Hillcrest. Then run along Central and turn left onto 9th St. East. Run back to the high school going into the second entrance that says one-way, run to Riverview Park and that is the end of the 5K! 3.1 miles.

The one-mile race will also start at Riverview Park and go into the M-Trail and will turn around at the 1/2 mark. There will be one station that will have all five colors for the one-mile event.