Gut Check 5k, Des Moines

When the starting gun sounds for the ColorFoam5k, participants zoom off toward the finish line. But they'll encounter some interesting checkpoints—colorful ones—along the way. At various points, runners plow through walls of eco-friendly foamy suds and jets of liquid color sprayed from the sidelines. The goal here isn't to set any land-speed records, as the race is untimed, which puts the emphasis on having maximum fun and community rather than on competing. But there is another greater purpose to the event: a portion of proceeds benefit local charities.