The Color Run arrives in the UK!

Race news: A new mass participation phenomenon, The Color Run, will go on sale in the UK tomorrow (Friday 10 May), bringing the world’s happiest 5km to London and Manchester

The Color Run, presented by Dulux, a unique Color race that celebrates healthiness, happiness, individuality, and giving back to the community, began in the Unites States in January 2012 and has since spread across the globe leaving a trail of powder paint and happy runners.

IMG Challenger World, the mass participation sport division of IMG World, the global sport, fashion and media company, will be introducing The Color Run presented by Dulux, to London on the 14 July and Manchester on the 21 July with entries on sale from Friday 10 May at 12:00 on www.thecolorrun.co.uk.

The event has seen incredible growth since it began with an estimated increase from 50 events and 600,000 participants in 2012, to over 100 events and over a million participants in 2013. The event series has expanded geographically from the USA to Australia, Brazil, Portugal and Germany, with each country quickly selling out events from 5,000 to 30,000 people. thecolorrun.com/locations/

IMG Challenger World Managing Director, James Robinson said: “Working closely with our counterparts in the US we have eagerly driven this project forward to bring the Color Run to the UK in 2013. The event is truly incredible and adds something totally unique to our portfolio of running, triathlon and cycling events. Based on other Color Run events we expect both dates to sell out very quickly so we urge prospective participants to enter now to avoid disappointment.”

Jenny Hall, Dulux Marketing Controller, said: “As part of our global mission to add colour to people’s lives, we are delighted to be the Title Sponsor of The Color Run in the UK. We feel passionately about the positive impact colour can have, both physically and emotionally, and The Color Run is the ultimate celebration of just how uplifting it can be. We are proud to be a part of this unique event, bringing people together through the power of colour.”

The concept of The Color Run is a relatively simple one. Founder, Travis Snyder, was inspired by the Indian Holi Festival, and decided to combine the idea with a 5km running experience. At each kilometre mark participants run through Color Zones where they are showered with Color. At the finish area of each event there is then a large Color festival, which combines live music with co-ordinated Color throws, giving athletes more than just the normal running experience.

“Color Runners” vary in demographics and reasons for running. With no winners or official times, The Color Run caters to anyone – 2 year olds to 80 year olds, first time runners to professional athletes. Over 60% of Color Runners are first-time 5k runners and participate as a celebration and capstone of their healthy living accomplishments. Others participate to honor loved ones who have passed or are fighting diseases. More run for love, and The Color Run event has sparked approximately 10 marriage proposals and one wedding.

IMG Challenger World, plan to expand the UK & Ireland offering of Color Run for 2014 so watch this space!

To enter the UK Color Run events, visit the website: www.thecolorrun.co.uk

To see other Color Run events visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/thecolorrun