Run in Colour bursts to life

The concept is simple: you start off with some friends, a white t-shirt, and set off  to run a 5 km route. The part that makes it interesting is that every kilometer you enter a colour zone where bursts of colour (food dye powder) fill the sky and perhaps land on you.
 

Run in Colour

Photo: Contributed

Photo: Contributed

Photo: Contributed

Photo: Contributed

Photo: Contributed

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Next Saturday Kelowna's first and only Run in Colour event will be taking place. For those who aren't sure what a colour run is here is a video from their press launch a few weeks ago
 
Grant Thornton 5K Run in Colour

 
These events have been gaining in popularity recently around the world. Interestingly in other areas this event is typically ran by a for-profit company under the "Colour Run" brand while here in Kelowna our local twist on the event is being used a major fundraiser and community engagement initiative for the KGH Foundation. To date they have already raised over $25,000  (their goal is $50,000) that will be used towards buying equipment and much needed patient care items at KGH.
 
In Kelowna more than 500 participants (including 60 teams) are going to be a part of this inaugural fundraising event. The route for the event, which starts and ends at Celebration Plaza in Waterfront Park, is online at www.5krunincolour.com The event starts at 10:00AM but the fun will start a lot earlier! The entry fee of $45 includes a t-shirt, sunglasses and a goody bag! Kids five- and-under are free but they will not receive a t-shirt or glasses. We will also have a special prize for the most unique costume!
 
Register your support and sign up here.
 
At the launch event a lot of the focus was on how the KGH Foundation and the hospital effects everyone in our community. At the media launch Mayor Walter Gray took a moment to share how important some of the recent upgrades funded through the foundation have been to him and his family. Here is his story: 
 

 
For those interested these "colour" events are all inspired by the Hindu Holi festival that depicts such colour throwing events that date back as far as the 17th century so if you do participate your experiencing something that has a rich and long history.

Photo: Contributed

 
I did want to offer a full disclosure that I have been working on the committee that is putting this event together as their social media coordinator and I'll be using this event as my first Ryan Donn Band performance in over 3 years.  Its going to be a unique event and its great to see this type of event in town being used to support our community.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.