For the first time ever, RMA will be hosting the Brighter Together Color Run, which will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, in support of the Exceptional Eagles Program. This event organized by RMA sophomore Elizabeth Chesnutt will not only bring energy, color, and community to RMA but also exercise as runners support a good cause.
Those interested in participating can choose between a 5K race or a ¾-mile fun run on RMA’s cross-country trail. Both, like all color runs, will feature color stations where volunteers will toss bright, colorful powder onto the runners.
If you’re not an athlete or want to bring kids along, know that the event will accommodate all ages, as, in addition to the trails, it includes a kids’ zone with bouncy houses and other activities, as well as a variety of food trucks. Whether you choose to run or just take in the community atmosphere, it will be a fun event for everyone.
The mission of the color run is to support a valuable cause. Specifically, all the money accumulated will be given to the Exceptional Eagles Program, which currently serves twenty-four students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities such as autism and Down syndrome. As Elizabeth explains, “Students work daily during both group and individual instruction to strengthen their skills and to achieve their learning goals. Although classroom instruction is very important, many skills cannot be learned without hands-on experiences both in and out of the classroom,” and the funds raised by the color run will help support opportunities to go off-campus for activities like:
- Grocery shopping and cooking
- Delivering for Meals on Wheels
- Swimming at the YMCA and playing on sensory gyms
- Putting on plays each year
- Field trips to places like the zoo, Sylvan Heights Bird Park, and Jockey’s Ridge
- Participating in dolphin-watching Tours
- Going on Train rides
- Visiting “bigger” destinations like Discovery Cove and Disney
If you can’t attend or want to be even more involved, you can purchase merchandise or sponsor a personal sign that will be displayed along the course with messages like “_(insert name)_ Makes it Brighter.” Those names could belong to friends, family, or RMA staff who have made an impact. Of course, sponsorship opportunities are also available!
Everyone who participates in the race, attends the event, or contributes funds or time will directly support the Exceptional Eagles and leave a lasting impact.
To register for the race, use this link, and to make a donation or sign up as a sponsor, click here. If runners register before March 30, they will receive a t-shirt with their registration, but you can still sign up through the day of the race. For more information or questions, contact RMA sophomore Elizabeth Chesnutt at [email protected].
