First ever Color Run UAE proves a smash hit

Kara Martin 19:34 15/12/2013
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  • Star runner: Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes has plenty to smile about.

    Dubai Autodrome was a kaleidoscope of colour on Saturday morning as over 8,500 people jogged, walked, and danced their way round the five kilometre course of The Color Run presented by Daman’s Activelife.

    With no winners or official times, the focus was on health, individuality, and giving back to the community, and the event truly lived up to its reputation as the world’s happiest and most colourful 5km fun run.

    At each kilometre, runners wearing white were doused in a different colour of powder.

    Among the participants were Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes and the world’s leading Arab triathlete and Activelife ambassador, Omar Nour.

    Nour said: “This wasn’t the fastest 5km I’ve ever run – but it was definitely the most fun! The atmosphere has been incredible.”

    Exploding in popularity since its January 2012 launch, The Color Run has become the single-largest event series in the USA and in 2013, there were over a million entries for more than 100 international events.

    Chief Commercial Officer of Daman Dr Sven Rohte said: “It is part of our philosophy to constantly encourage the community to be active and give them opportunities to adopt a healthier lifestyle.”

    Greg Sproule, Managing Director of event organisers IMG Middle East, added: “The atmosphere at the Dubai Autodrome has been absolutely captivating.

    “With the overwhelming enthusiasm and demand, we may just bring more colour to the region in the not-so-distant future.”

    In keeping with The Color Run’s tenet of giving back to the community, $1 from every registration was donated to charity through Just Giving.

    Runners had the option to choose from one of 8,000 charities registered with Just Giving.

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