SMITHFIELD — More than 100 people turned out for the “Different Not Less” color run on April 23 at Smithfield-Selma High School.

Volunteers doused participants with powdered color as they walked or ran the 3.1-mile course. A one-mile fun run was also available.

Proceeds from registration went to Unified Spartans, a program that partners SSS with Special Olympics to promote inclusion for those with intellectual disabilities.

Smithfield-Selma High is an ESPN National Banner school, meaning SSS has a plan to sustain the program through sports, whole-school engagement and student leadership. SSS faculty members Bethany Jones and Haley Cubbison lead the Unified Spartans.

Emily Stuckey and Gary Smith, student leaders in the program, organized the color run. Funding for T-shirts came from a $500 grant that Stuckey secured from Special Olympics North America.

Stuckey thanked “volunteers and participants from schools across the county for spending their Saturday to spread the word that just because someone is different, that doesn’t mean they’re less.”

“Unified shows everyone has something unique to offer,” said Stuckey, who ensured Smith was involved in all steps of the planning process.

Smith said his favorite thing about Unified was “making new friends.”

Stuckey and Smith hope that through the run, more people will join them in the fight for inclusion.