The 5k is one of America’s most popular race distances; and while you often see competitors wearing lightweight shoes and white earbuds, it’s not everyday you see a pack of 200 participants splattered in purple paint.
At the Domestic Violence Center of the Santa Clarita Valley’s sixth annual Purple Walk, however, this scene was commonplace.
“Everybody gets purpled,” said event organizer and DVC case manager Christy Ferguson.
After spraying the purple paint onto themselves and each other, participants ran, jogged and walked the 5k course around College of the Canyon’s back hills.
Competitors were greeted with cheers, hugs and even ‘swag bags’ as they crossed the finish line of the roughly 3.1 mile course.
The family-friendly competition was about more than just promoting personal fitness, though.
“Purple is the domestic violence color,” said Ferguson. “And October is domestic violence month.”
Proceeds from the event went directly to the Domestic Violence Center of the Santa Clarita Valley to help fund the many programs the facility offers to survivors of abuse.
According to the center’s webpage, one in three women report having been the victim of domestic violence at some point in their lives. The DVC of the Santa Clarita Valley aims to help these survivors.
“We offer individual therapy groups, active parenting support groups and we do community outreach,” said Ferguson.
The Purple Walk is one of the primary mechanisms through which the center can raise the necessary funds to continue these services.
“It’s one of our largest fundraisers,” said Ferguson.
And it is also, according to Ferguson, one of their favorites.
“We really enjoy doing this event,” she said. “It’s a wonderful time.”
