Running with Pride: Color Run Paints Nome with Wellness, Community and Joy

By Sarah Manriquez

Over 35 Nome residents came together Tuesday evening for a one-mile dash filled with vibrant color, laughter, and a strong message of inclusivity. Hosted by Norton Sound Health Corporation’s (NSHC) Liitfik Behavioral Health Services (BHS) and CAMP programs, the annual Community Color Run was one of a dozen events held throughout June in celebration of Pride Month—and it doubled as a joyful show of support for community wellness and connection.

​​The event began and ended at the BHS parking lot, nestled between the patient hostel and the main hospital. Participants—children, elders, and everyone in between—lined up just before 6 p.m. as volunteers hurled fistfuls of bright powder into the air. The one-mile route wound through Front Street and nearby roads, with eight color stations primarily staffed by CAMP interns and NSHC employees. Along the way, volunteers doused runners in clouds of yellow, blue, red, and orange.

Kara Ta, a Clinical Associate and Prevention Specialist with BHS, explained that the event is intentionally designed to foster both celebration and safety. “We want to honor and support the LGBTQ+ community here in Nome,” Ta said. “We want to celebrate Pride Month and promote fun, inclusivity, and wellness. It’s really about coming together.”

According to Alexis Erikson, Public Relations Specialist with Norton Sound Health Corporation, the first Color Run took place in 2019 and was met with strong community turnout. In October 2021, more than 80 participants joined the second run despite rainy conditions. The 2022 event took on a back-to-school theme, while 2023 saw the Color Run return in celebration of Pride Day. Though no official run was held last year, CAMP organized the Nome-ja Warrior obstacle course, incorporating colored powder at challenge checkpoints. This year marked a return to the traditional Color Run format.

Lori Mueller, Substance Abuse, Prevention and Aftercare Outreach Coordinator for BHS, emphasized the broader goals of the event. “It’s my job to use cultural practices to expand wellness in our region and to support substance misuse education, prevention, treatment, and aftercare,” Mueller said. “This event has continued to grow over the years, and we had such a great turnout this time. I saw a lot of happy faces—and maybe even a first introduction to running for some. Running can be a great coping skill and a meaningful part of personal wellness.”

Nome resident Harrison Moore clocked the fastest time of the evening, finishing the route in just under six minutes. But the focus wasn’t on competition—it was on participation. Recreation passes donated by CAMP were awarded to both the first and last place finishers, reinforcing the event’s inclusive spirit.

For many, the Color Run wasn’t just a fun activity—it was a meaningful celebration of identity and community. One attendee, Anna Ashenfelter, reflected on its deeper cultural and historical significance. “LGBTQ+ people have always been here, just like Indigenous people,” Ashenfelter said. “[Activities like the color run are] about creating a sense of place, where people know they are supported and encouraged to thrive.”

That commitment to safety and belonging was also evident in the logistics. The event was entirely free and open to all. Volunteers at the start and finish lines ensured every participant had a good time, whether they arrived early or joined mid-race. There were free snacks, pride flags, beads, t-shirts and other goodies for participants. The color powder, made from high-quality cornstarch, baking soda, and FDA-approved dyes, was allergen-free, gluten-free, and flame-retardant.

With Pride flags waving, people cheering, and runners sprinting or strolling through showers of color, the event was a vibrant reminder of the strength found in community. As Kneeler put it, “Events like the Color Run help us create accessible, positive spaces where people can come together and support each other.”

In Nome, that message of support wasn’t just in the air. It was in the powder, the pavement, and the people running alongside each other in every shade of the rainbow.