TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - More than 300 Combat Center patrons participated in the Colorful Consent 5 Kilometer Run held at the Physical Fitness Test track May 1, 2015.
The run served as the culminating event for Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month held in April. Throughout the month, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response representatives had booths set up to inform Marines at the dining facilities and the Main Exchange on sexual assault.
“It’s a fun event that brings awareness to a not-so-fun topic,” said Ivan Norman, installation SAPR representative. “Sexual assault is a big problem in society, and our goal is to help stop it the best we can.”
During the run, which was open to all Combat Center patrons, the participants wore white T-shirts and ran through clouds of colorful cornstarch thrown by volunteers. The cornstarch was made by adding food coloring to make a dry powder that is biodegradable.
“We held a color run because it’s fun for people,” said Melody Dolmer, installation Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. “It helps Marines and their families learn about the help that is out there if they need it.”
Lance Cpl. Ben Mills, postal clerk, Headquarters Battalion, came in first place with a time of 20 minutes, 59 seconds.
“The run is a great way to draw more participants in,” Mills said. “It’s nice to see something other than a class to get people engaged in the subject of sexual assault awareness.”
Marine Corps Community Services, American Friends of our Armed Forces and Semper Fit sponsored the event.
“We hold these events to keep the topic in [the Marines'] minds so they don’t forget that it does still occur and there is help and support available,” said Brent Norquist, deputy director, MCCS.
According to Dolmer, due to the large turnout of the event, it is planned to be hosted annually during SAAPM. Other plans for the month include holding an event every Friday to keep Marines and families involved.
Date Taken: | 05.01.2015 |
Date Posted: | 05.06.2015 17:12 |
Story ID: | 162468 |
Location: | TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US |
Web Views: | 63 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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