First time in town for colourful run

Participants in a fun run became the canvases as they were covered in splashes of colour at an event held in Alexandra last week.

More than 300 people, young and old walk, jogged and ran a 3km course around Molyneux Park in Alexandra for the Night ‘n’ Day Rainbow Run.

Sports Otago events lead Sophie Russell said this was the first time in the event’s 10 year history the run was held in Alexandra.

The main sponsor of the event Night ‘n Day wanted to bring the event to the Central Otago town, she said.

What sets the Rainbow Run apart is as runners start the course, they are hosed down and as they complete the course, they run through colour stations where they are covered in coloured powder.

Runners start dressed in black and white, and finished covered in colour, she said.

"They come to the finish line almost like their own work of art, it’s quite cool."

The event itself was about getting out there and participating, but after the run, participants could buy an ice cream for a gold coin, money which would go to Sports Otago’s sporting chance fund, which helps disadvantaged children participate in sport.

First to cross the finish line and looking like a painting was Alexandra’s Anthony Butt.

As he led the pack most of the way, he felt he was peppered in powder by the colour stations.

The day was sunny and hot, so a spray down by a Fire and Emergency hose kept him cool for most of the run, he said.

This was his first colour run, which he decided to participate in with some of his friends.

Ms Russell said it was awesome to see how well-received the event was in Alexandra and it would definitely make a return next year.