The Flavor Run – Orlando

The Flavor Run this year had two time slots for runners, at 9:00 and 2:00. I originally registered for the 9:00 run, but bad weather plus car trouble held me up and I ended up missing it. (The morning race was delayed 30 minutes because of the weather, and they did a good job with sending out an e-​mail update and posting to Facebook.)
I was lucky that there was a second run and I read from the Facebook posts that people were told they could switch to the later one, so I decided to go in the afternoon. The race information packet said day-​of packet pick-​up was from 12:30 — 1:30. I arrived to pick up my packet at 12:45. There was no line and it was no problem changing my start time, so that was good.
Then I proceeded to wait… and wait. My first indication that something was going wrong was when I heard the announcer tell the crowd «30 minutes until race start» at 1:45. And then again at 2:00, another 30 minutes, pushing the start back to 2:30.
Once the race started they released the runners in waves, and because I’m just not very assertive, I ended up in the last wave to start. So, I’m admittedly a very slow runner, and I do a walk/​jog, but it was really difficult to maneuver past all of the walkers. The running path was basically a wide sidewalk most of the way, and I encountered several groups walking 4 across that it was really difficult to pass. Most of the time I had to go into the grass to get around the walkers.
I would have preferred if they would have broken the group up with strollers and walkers at the back. Also, at the half way mark they were giving out full bottles of water. That’s nice, but I didn’t want to carry the bottle the whole way, and it was a pretty long distance before I saw a garbage can to throw it away (since we were in a park I didn’t want to drop it).
As for the color, I actually got more color on me than I did at my previous color race, so that was cool. As for the flavor, you could taste the flavor as you inhaled it running through the color stations. Kind of neat, kind of strange. I would describe it as being in a cloud of colorful Pixy Stix powder.
I liked that you get a medal for finishing. The fruit at the finish was nice and refreshing. The course was great. I loved running through the park and especially the part that passed beside the lake. We had great weather and the scenery was nice.
For me the disorganization with the start really ruined my experience, I’m not sure I would do this race again.

So this was my first 5K so I can’t compare it to any other.
I honestly never got the gimmicks that they’re coming up with, but friends wanted to do this and I figured I’d give it a shot. I’m glad I did because I had fun!
There was an option to pick up the packet the day before the race, or before the race itself. There was a morning race and an afternoon race. I know that the morning one got delayed because of the weather (it had been raining), and people were given the option to run in the afternoon instead, which was quite nice. I ran the afternoon race, which also got delayed (no idea why).
In spite of the wind, we got quite a bit of powder. There was an initial hit before the run started, and then 3 or 4 stations along the path. We also got water halfway through the race and at the end. And there was quite a bit of fruit at the end too, along with extra color packs for each of us.
In all, comparing to the reviews from last year, this time they did a good job controlling any traffic we ran into, plenty of powder, fruit and water. The only downside was the slight delay, but no big deal.

This run is a similar concept to the more well-​known Color Run. It’s a 5K, where colored powder gets thrown on you as you run and hopefully have just an all around good time. I’d done the Color Run before, so when this run was featured on Living Social it was enough encouragement for me to register!
A couple distinctions that make the Flavor Run unique–
–The powders are flavored. Can’t say I really put this to the test, but it would be their claim to fame given the Flavor Run name.
–You get a medal! Nothing fancy, but always a win in my book.
–Packet pick up was at the Whole Foods and Dr. Phillips which was a centrally located spot for me and it was a seamless, easy pick up. You didn’t even have to go in the store!
–Color runs always equal a fun atmosphere!
A couple negatives:
— The race started a little bit behind schedule. Never good in the running world.
–Race course signage could have been better. There was also some traffic coming into the park which interfered.
–Post-​race food options could have been better. The line was waaaayy long for a little piece of fruit. Runners need easy access to water and bananas at the minimum.
I would do this race again if there was a good deal for it, but wouldn’t pay full price.

Let’s just say that I call this race the bargain version of The Color Run. And yes I have done the Color Run so I am allowed to make that comparison.
On a whim, I bought 2 entries for this race for my husband and I. For the most part, we were kept up to date on any information regarding the race. I wasn’t a big fan of packet pickup being offered only one day before the actual race day. Not to mention it was waaaay across town at the Whole Foods at Turkey Lake… on a Friday. Thankfully we got to pick up the day of so that was a plus.
Some of the key observations :
1)The race was scheduled to start at 9am and runners were split up in «waves» to allow everyone to enjoy the flavor stations. I think 9am is way too late because it got hot way too quickly. I would highly recommend an earlier start time… say 730am? I think it would make a world of difference.
2)There was nothing in the race packet informing racers how to remove the flavored powder from body parts (face, legs, arms, etc). Would be helpful for those who had special plans that night and didn’t want to show up looking like a smurf!
3)Along the race path, some of the roads were not closed to traffic. So there were oncoming trucks on some roads that we were running on. Since this race had a high amount of children participating, it may be a good idea to have someone directing traffic on those roads to ensure everyone’s safety.
4)The speaker system was not functioning properly. They weren’t able to play music and have the person speaking on the mike at the same time. So it was one or the other.
On the plus side:
1) Parking was very well organized and easy to maneuver through. The actual location was picturesque and a great backdrop for the race.
2)Cardio City was there warming up the runners before the race with some light cardio/​dance routines.
3) The flavored water stations were very cooling during the race. Nice option besides having solely powder thrown on you.
4)Loved that this race supports the efforts of Camp Boggy Creek.
5) The fresh fruit donated by Whole Foods was a refreshing treat. I do think that they need to invest in a better tool to slice the watermelon. Poor guy was going as fast as he could. Presliced may help alleviate the lines and a potential accident!
This is a fun, untimed, no frills race. Don’t get caught up in having to purchase all the extras. The packet includes a shirt and powder packet. You’ll get enough flavor powder on you during the race.
Overall, it’s a good time but for a bigger, better and more organized race, I’d stick with the Color Run.