Running in the dark is not something I do a lot of. I tend to run alone, and I don’t feel comfortable doing that after dusk. Plus, I have been known to trip and fall while running, and it’s easy to do that when it’s harder to see where you’re going!

Rip It Events‘ 2nd annual Glow Run 5K, however, offered the perfect opportunity to run the streets of Columbia, Maryland at night — complete with glow-in-the-dark necklaces and neon swag.

I ran the Glow Run last year, before I was a Rip It ambassador, and I loved everything about it. I mean, it was right up my alley.

Excuse to wear the brightest workout gear possible? Check.

Free glow necklaces? Check.

Dance party before the race with songs including the Cha Cha Slide, the Wobble and the Cupid Shuffle? Check.

Also, the race is untimed, so it truly is a fun run. That said, my friends and I are competitive and even though a few of us *said* we were going to take it easy, we didn’t.

I was the first female finisher in the race for the second year in a row. My friends Kree and Mindy were the second and third female finishers, respectively. My friend Matt won the race. We didn’t get anything for our achievements, just bragging rights. (Shout out to 5 Peaks Martial Arts Academy, the school Matt owns and where we all train, for getting us in such good shape. #5PeaksLife)

Can I please brag about my splits for a second? I ran the first mile in 8:05, the second in 7:40 and the third in 6:56. Super proud of those negative splits!

Truly, though, the point of this 5K was to have fun, and we did, despite the cold, rainy weather. One of the best parts is seeing what everyone wears for this race. Runners get really into it — I saw glow-in-the-dark tutus, lots of light up shoes and jewelry and even someone dressed in a neon unicorn costume. (I’ve really got to step up my game for next year!)

Yes, my husband wore flannel to a glow run.

One of the things I enjoy most about Rip It races — and races in general — is the camaraderie. As the race neared its end and the last runners came through the finisher’s chute, crowds of runners lined up on either side of the chute to give out high fives and cheer everyone on. So fun!

Rip It has two more races on the calendar to finish out the year — the Bridesmaids 5K on Oct. 14, and the Columbia Turkey Chase 10K and Relay on Nov. 19. Interested in running these races? Contact me for your 10 percent discount code!

As a Rip It Events ambassador, I ran this race for free. Opinions are entirely my own!