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Lamar will be hosting its second Cardinal Color Run this Saturday, September 3, at 9 a.m. starting at the McDonald Gym Parking Lot.

The free event, in which all Lamar students are welcome to run or walk through a course riddled with “color stations,” is one of the final events of Big Red Take Off — two weeks’ worth of welcoming activities on campus aimed at both new and returning students.

“The purpose of this event and the broader Big Red Take Off is to engage students in the first couple weeks of schools,” said Brandie Van Zanden, coordinator of New Student & Leadership Programs. “The first six weeks of college are the most important in terms of engaging students. Students who are engaged are more likely to stay connected to the university and complete a degree here.”

According to Van Zanden, the event also aims to unite students through fun and foster excitement about the coming academic year. The run emulates larger 5K color runs, like the Gift of Life 5K Ribbon Run in Beaumont, while minimizing required skill to maximize enjoyment for all.

“When I thought of different events, I thought of how many people like to run or walk, but knew a 5K wouldn’t appeal to everyone,” she said. “A color run that isn’t very long will be fun for all students. Participants (who are encouraged to wear white) can go at their own pace and stop at three different color stations to have color thrown at them. It’s a very popular event in lots of cities and I wanted to bring that fun to Lamar.”

The first 200 students to register for the run on OrgSync will receive a free tee shirt for the event. Closing out Big Red Take Off later Saturday are a Cardinal Tailgate outside the Provost-Umphrey Stadium (also welcome to all students, food will be served) and the first home football game of the season, where Lamar will take on Coastal Carolina University. Students enter the game free with their LU ID.