DUBAI // Thousands of people from across the country took part in the country's first Colour Run on Saturday morning.
From athletes to first-timers, the 5-kilometre fun run at Dubai Autodrome brought together the community by combining entertainment with a message about being healthy and happy.
Santosh Kumar, his daughter Amrutha, 14, and her school friends from the American Community School, were among more than 8,000 entrants.
“It’s good for the kids to have these events,” he said. “It serves a purpose. It gives the kids a sense of community so they find a way to exercise and have fun.”
Yasmine Baker, 22, had never taken part in an organised run before. The run was not classified as a race but she was using it as a goal in her fitness training and took part with her coach, Marti Hobby.
“I heard about the Colour Run when I lived in the US so when I heard about it here, I signed up,” he said. “It seemed like so much fun and there was such a buzz about it in the US.”
The event brought together people of all ages and backgrounds and Ms Baker, an environmental conservationist, found it less intimidating than the more serious race events in the country.
“It’s a great atmosphere and so much fun. Other races are quite serious with the timing aspect but there’s less pressure here as that’s not what it’s about,” she said.
“Having families and such a mix of people here just makes it such a nice event.”
The run is named for the neon colours that runners are sprayed with as they go around the course.
At the end of the event, entrants are sprayed again to add to the festival-style atmosphere, with a DJ continuing to add to the energy.
Lubna Khayal, 25, from Palestine, and Ohoud Farahat, 23, from Egypt, could not wait to get to the start line.
“We just want to run and scream and have fun,” Ms Khayal said.
Neither had taken part in such an event before.
“I just want to be a rainbow.” Ms Farahat said. “It’s so much fun.”
There were so many entrants that about eight waves of runners started at different times, spread out over an hour.
The event, founded in Januarylast year, has taken place around the world, from Australia to the UK, and promotes a message of happiness.
Victoria James, 28, heard about the run through social media from friends in Britain. The media sales executive has competed in a half-marathon, but took part in the fun run because it had created such a buzz.
“It just looked like so much fun and I’ve heard about it many times before, so I really wanted to do it when I heard it came to the UAE,” she said.
Kimberley Carey, 34, travelled from Al Ain to support friends taking part in the run.
“It’s just as much fun to be a supporter,” said Ms Carey, a teacher from Texas. “It’s such a fun event.
“With all the fancy dress, it’s such an eclectic mix of people and there’s a real sense of camaraderie.
“Whether you’re taking part or supporting, everyone is here for the same cause. It’s good to support an organisation that’s got such a positive message and is promoting happiness.”
Rahma Al Hamadani, 20, joined the event with friends.
“It’s got us out and doing something which benefits us but doing something so fun. I love the music and the atmosphere. It’s such a great community event.”
Her friend, Ruba Al Shanti, 21, travelled from Abu Dhabi.
“It was a good excuse to come to Dubai,” she said. “This is something fun that we can all do together.”
mswan@thenational.ae
