7,000 take part in Color Run around Yas Marina Circuit

Runners take part in the Color Run Abu Dhabi at the Yas Marina. Silvia Razgova / The National

ABU DHABI // Thousands of people added a dash of colour to their weekend when they took part in a fun run around the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Around 7,000 runners took part in the 5km Color Run and were doused from head to toe in yellow, red, blue and pink paint at each kilometre.

Bijan Barghi, 18, drove from Dubai to take part in the run with his parents. “This was 5km which I finished quickly as I run very fast,” said Mr Barghi, from New York.

“I came here for fun and had it to the fullest.”

Known as the “Happiest 5km on the Planet”, the Color Run celebrates healthiness, happiness, individuality, and giving back to the community, said organisers.

US$1 from each runner’s Dh150 entry fee was donated to Operation Smile, which provides free surgeries to repair facial deformities in children around the globe.

Runners received a race shirt and temporary tattoo, race number and sweat band.

Omar Nour, a 35-year-old professional triathlete from Egypt, made it round the course with ease.

“Such runs are always good for people and teaches them about living a healthy lifestyle and being active through regular exercise,” said Mr Nour.

Indian Aarnav Patel, 11, said he loved the run as it was similar to the Holi festival.

“I celebrated Holi at Abu Dhabi corniche a couple of weeks back where we played with colours and this run also gave us a fun-filled opportunity to do it again at Yas.

“I found this run fantastic and energetic as it filled participants with a mixed bag of running, colour, dance and music,” said Aarnav, who lives in Abu Dhabi.