Race report: The Color Run presented by Dulux - Saturday, August 16, 2014
Photos: The happiest 5k on the planet arrives…in the second city!
Olympic medalist and local girl Kelly Sotherton joined more than 9,000 runners of all ages, shapes and sizes to take part in The Color Run presented by Dulux on Saturday [August 16th] as the event came to the city for the first time.
This year The Color Run went bigger, bolder and brighter with runners taking to the NEC to jog, walk and dance their way around the 5k course.
At each kilometre, participants were covered in coloured powder explosions before DJs and MCs entertained the crowd at the Color Festival Area in an incredible party atmosphere of music and colour bursts.
Known as the happiest 5k on the planet, The Color Run has no official times or winners. The focus is on healthiness, friendship and community spirit.
Sotherton, former heptathlete and 400m sprinter, joined the party and lead the first runners off the start line alongside her two friends and England footballers; Chelsea defender Laura Bassett and Birmingham City winger Kaz Carney.
Photos: The happiest 5k on the planet arrives…in the second city!
Kelly enthused: “It’s been the most fantastic day, I’m so glad I had the chance to come here and experience The Color Run for the first time in my home town. It’s great to see so many people of all ages enjoying themselves, especially when it came to covering me in colour! I still can’t seem to keep this smile off my face!”
Event organiser Joe Rafferty said: “We’re really proud to have brought The Color Run to Birmingham. Today’s event showed how much everyone in the UK’s second city enjoys a bit of colourful fun in their lives.”
“As we continue to grow, we want to bring the joy and happiness of The Color Run to all of the UK. We’d like to thank everyone who took part and look forward to seeing them at The Color Run next time we’re in town!”
Ann Marie O’Riordan, Head of Marketing, UK & Ireland for presenting sponsor Dulux said: “The energy and enthusiasm on show at The Color Run has really shown us just how much colour can uplift and inspire the runners. That’s what we’re really passionate about – seeing colour have a positive impact on peoples’ lives and the places we live in. We’re proud to be presenting The Color Run in the UK for a second time this year and we look forward to a summer of colour with more runs happening across the UK.”
Following the success of the Birmingham event, The Color Run will visit Belfast (August 23rd,) Brighton (September 20th) and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (September 28th).
Photos: The happiest 5k on the planet arrives…in the second city!
A limited number of places are still available for some events at www.TheColorRun.co.uk
