ABU DHABI // Fancy running a five-kilometre race while being splattered in the colours of the rainbow as complete strangers hurl powder at you?
The Colour Run, the UAE’s answer to the phenomenon that started sweeping the globe in 2012, is set to take centre stage in the emirate next month.
The event will turn runners into moving canvases as they are doused from head to toe in vibrant coloured powder around the course at Yas Marina Circuit.
Unlike traditional five-kilometre races, the Colour Run has no winners nor official times and has just two rules – start the event wearing clean clothes and finish covered in coloured powder.
As well as spectators hurling coloured powder, participants are greeted with a colour-throwing extravaganza at the “finish festival” once they cross the line.
The event, which follows on from similar events in Dubai, is expected to attract thousands in Abu Dhabi and aims to promote physical activity by getting children and adults out of the house.
“After the immense success of the Dubai event, there was no question of ‘if’, but of ‘how soon’ we would bring the Colour Run to Abu Dhabi,” said Dr Sven Rohte, chief commercial officer of Daman, the Abu Dhabi health insurer and sponsor of the event.
“Seeing the excitement, laughter and positive energy of colour runners across the world proves that being active does have a positive impact on people’s lives.”
The run is hoping to attract similar numbers as did the Dubai event, where 8,500 people walked, ran and danced their way through the race.
“It was one of the best experiences I’ve had in Dubai since moving here four years ago,” said Jennifer Leiras, a participant in Dubai’s Colour Walk.
“My seven-year-old and I did it with friends and she said that it was ‘the best five kilometres of her whole life’.”
The fun run – also known as the happiest five kilometres on the planet – was founded in the United States in 2012 with the aim of encouraging health and wellness.
More than 170 events have since been staged in more than 30 countries. The Abu Dhabi event will take place on March 29.
Entries open at 9am on Monday at www.thecolorrun.ae/abudhabi and close at 5pm on March 22.
Entries cost Dh140 and include a gift pack, an event T-shirt, sweatband and colour pack, with Dh3.67 from every registration donated to charity.
jbell@thenational.ae
