Just under 350 runners – 346 to be exact – lined up for a pair of races in Escalon early Saturday morning, Feb. 10, taking off in the second annual Escalon Educational Foundation Color Run starting at 8 a.m.

Leaving from the parking lot at El Portal Middle School, both a one-mile run/walk and a 5k event were offered to participants. Sent off with a whoosh of color at the start, the runners also encountered several color stations along the race route, with volunteers using squeeze bottles to cover them with non-toxic colored cornstarch, from blue to orange, yellow to purple. Specific spots on First Street still featured patches of color following the run and organizers said they were very pleased with the overall turnout.

Money raised goes to the Escalon Educational Foundation, which utilizes the funds to benefit students in all Escalon Unified School District schools.

The early morning run drew many families, young runners, high school students, teachers, coaches, athletes and community residents. Medals were awarded to top finishers in various age divisions for each of the runs and a drone operated by Aaron Casados of Pacific 3DI hovered overhead, chronicling the morning’s events for use in a video by the Escalon Educational Foundation.