Runners beat the rain but not the colors in Saturday's United Way 5K

COLDWATER — Storm threats kept some of the 321 registered runners away from the 14th annual United Way Living Color Run on Saturday morning.

Rain waited until after the runners finished the 5K around Heritage Park and nearby school properties.

Runners are sprayed with colored cornstarch as they make their way around the course. They end the race covered in color with a unique race tee shirt as a souvenir.

United Way executive director Kevin Sheppard said the run raises around $14,000 to kick off the annual fall donation drive.

Sheppard said United Way of Branch County hopes to raise $200,000 to fund 26 partner agencies that provide services to county residents.

Last year, United Way only raised just over $160,000 in its campaign.

Sheppard said, "We were only able to give 84% of what was asked. So, our goal this year obviously is to increase that number."

United Way uses 98.5% of donations for community services such as Presbyterian Free Health Clinic, Happy Feet, Working Family Revolving Loan Fund, AYSO Soccer, Boy Scouts, GED Scholarships, and Altrusa Teen Share among the 23 agencies.

Sheppard said United Way hopes to meet the goal for this year so all requests can be honored. "Those are tough decisions for our board trying to figure out who gets 100% and who doesn't."

For the second year, United Way joined forces with the June ABC Challenge one-and-a-half mile mudder obstacle run to offer a two-race discount.

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Volunteers support both benefit runs.

Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Runners beat the rain but not the colors in Saturday's United Way 5K