By Patrick Bray
DLIFLC Public Affairs
MONTEREY, Calif. – The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center and Presidio of Monterey Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) office held a Color Run in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month at Soldier Field on the Presidio April 29.
About 100 service members preregistered for the awareness-raising event, but on run day approximately 150 more than expected turned out, for a total of about 250 people.
The run took service members around Soldier Field. As participants ran by, volunteers threw a mixture of corn starch and food coloring on them, adding to the spirit of the event.
“This was a healthy and fun way to bring service members together,” said Sgt. 1st Class Tanner Swanson, SHARP victim advocate. “At the end we had everyone together to shout ‘Color DLI free of sexual assault.’”
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month events were conducted throughout April and hosted by the Presidio and DLI.
“A lot of the events that we had planned were more information based, which is very productive but can be a little heavy sometimes,” said Tanner. “So, we wanted something fun and lighthearted to finish off the month.”
Plans are already underway to host the 2nd Annual SHARP Color Run next year.