The Waldo Waldo 5K

The Waldo Waldo 5K is an annual five kilometer walk/run hosted in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Participants dress in Where's Waldo costumes included with the price of admission, with raised funds going towards "Waldo Canyon restoration, disaster relief, fire recovery, outdoor activities and trails and open space maintenance in the local community."[1]

The Waldo Waldo 5K
StatusActive
Genre5k run
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)Colorado Springs, Colorado
CountryUnited States of America
Years active8
InauguratedOctober 21, 2012 (2012-10-21)
FounderChelise Foster
Most recentOctober 17, 2015
Next eventOctober 22, 2016
Sponsorelope, Inc.
Websitewaldowaldo.com

History

The race was founded by Chelise Foster in 2012 as a response to the Waldo Canyon Wildfire.[2] According to a Q&A with Foster, it was originally meant to be a small gathering of volunteers that would dress up in Where's Waldo costumes to clean up the Waldo Canyon, but instead became a fundraiser to help offset the financial burden following the disaster. Foster was an elope, Inc. employee at the time, and the company agreed to provide Waldo and Wenda costumes at a discount for the event, and has been the presenting sponsor since.[3][4] The inaugural race at the America the Beautiful Park included over 1,000 participants, and raised approximately $20,000 for the Waldo Canyon Firefighter Relief Fund.[5][6]

Event

In subsequent iterations, the Waldo Waldo 5K has split raised funds between the Trails and Open Space Coalition and the Rocky Mountain Field Institute.[3] Since 2012, event organizers have attempted to break the Guinness World Record for "Largest gathering of people dressed as Wally/Waldo" with no success. In an interview with Fox 21 News during the 2014 5K, Foster stated,"We have about 3,200 this year. But the world record has always been secondary. If we get the world record that’s great, but it’s really just a fun way to get people out here."[7]

Before 2014, the 5K ran through the America the Beautiful Park. It now begins and ends at the Pioneers Museum in central Downtown Colorado Springs.[3] Recent events have included yoga classes, food trucks, and exhibitors before and after the event.[6] Live music and a beer garden were added in the 2015 race.[1]

Reception

The event has generally met with favorable views from participants and spectators. Several runners at the 2015 event described it as a "fun experience" and "a symbol of teamwork and unification."[8] In 2014, The Colorado Springs Independent gave the Waldo Waldo 5K silver in "best fundraising event."[9]

Participation
Meaning
Red World Record Attempt Failed
Yellow World Record Made (Since Broken)
Green Holds current World Record
DateEvent
21 October 2012Over 1,000
27 October 2013Over 2,700
26 October 20143,104
17 October 20153,400
22 October 20163,524
21 October 2017TBD

References
  1. "Waldo Waldo 5K helps raise funds for Waldo Canyon restoration". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
  2. "4th annual Waldo Waldo 5K". www.koaa.com. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
  3. Bergsten, Tim. "Chelise Foster: Waldo's star in stripes". Colorado Springs Independent. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
  4. "The deeper meaning behind the Waldo Waldo's playful red and white stripes". www.pikespeaksports.us. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  5. Posted by Tim Bergsten on October 16, 2013 at 1:23pm in News and Features; Discussions, Back to News and Features. "Q&A with Chelise Foster, the creative go-getter behind the Waldo Waldo 5K". Retrieved 2016-06-13.
  6. "Waldo Waldo 5K could break records; event runs Sunday". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
  7. Baranowski, Sam (2014-10-27). "Thousands dress as 'Where's Waldo?' to support Waldo Canyon restoration". FOX21News.com. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
  8. KKTV. "Waldo Waldo 5K run in Colorado Springs". www.kktv.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  9. "Best Of Colorado Springs 2014 Vol. 2: Welcome and Winners Index". Colorado Springs Independent. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
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