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Largest crowd ever for The Color Run, hosted by WCM-Q’s Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First campaign

More than 8,000 people participated in the 'happiest 5k on the planet'.
More than 8,000 people participated in the 'happiest 5k on the planet'.

The Color Run presented by Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First, has concluded its third staging in Doha at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).

 In total, more than 8,000 Color Runners completed the ‘Happiest 5K on the planet’ and got coated from head-to-toe in a tropical array of colors each kilometer of the course until the finish line. One of the biggest and most colorful events that Doha has ever seen, this edition of The Color Run presented by Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First brought a new theme to Doha through its Tropicolor World Tour.

The event, now in its third year, encourages people to take up exercise.

Thousands of participants, young and old, veterans and first-time Color Runners walked, jogged and skipped their way through the five-kilometer course as they got bathed in Tropicolor powder at each of the five Color Zones. The new theme; the Tropicolor World Tour, included an explosive Tropicolor Zone, palm trees, bright colors, and island-style music. Also featured were Rainbow Beach and the Finish Festival, a larger-than-life celebration at the interactive island, featuring, music, unique photo opportunities and massive color throws.

Nesreen Al-Rifai, chief communications officer for WCM-Q, which runs the Your Health First campaign, said:

“We were thrilled to see so many people in Doha participating in the Qatar edition of The Color Run. This is testament to the success of our campaign, demonstrating once again Doha’s commitment to lead a healthier and happier lifestyle. This third edition of The Color Run has witnessed unprecedented fun and excitement and has marked an extraordinary celebration where the local community had one goal in common; getting healthy and active and appreciating doing so in a fun environment.”

I Love Qatar’s Khlalifa Haroon wore a spotless, white thobe for the event.

Amina El Mamy, a participant commented on her experience at The Color Run event saying: “It was just amazing, I have never seen or experienced anything like this before in Doha. It was great seeing people going at their own speed on the course; I saw people of all ages, children, teenagers, and parents pushing toddlers in strollers as well as the elderly participating at this event. At the end of the five kilometers there was a Color Extravaganza at the Finish Festival with a huge number of colors exploding into the air. It felt like a wave of color and happiness all thrown at me at once. The atmosphere was absolutely amazing and I can’t wait for next year’s event to do it all over again.”

With more than 8,000 Color Runners, Doha has once again demonstrated Qatar’s vision to encourage residents to lead healthier and happier lives. Events such as The Color Run celebrate health, happiness and individuality and encourage participants of all ages and abilities to focus on their lifestyle and well-being.

At the end of the Color Run, thousands gathered to celebrate their achievement at the Finish Festival.

Greg Sproule, managing director for IMG Middle East, the organizer behind this weekend’s event, said: “This third edition of The Color Run presented by Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First in Qatar, has seen an action-packed day of fun and fitness, with the Doha community flocking to the event in thousands. We have witnessed serious amounts of fun all day with music, color throws and an exciting new experience with the new theme, the Tropicolor World Tour, which immersed participants in tropical-island sensations and vibes starting from the Warm up Zone through to the Color Zone, the Tropicolor Zone and the larger than life celebration, the Finish Festival.”

“We would like to thank everyone for joining us today, and for their enthusiasm, great spirit and most importantly their commitment to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. We would also like to thank our partners, Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar with this third edition of The Color Run presented by Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First, and their ongoing support and commitment to encouraging residents of Qatar to continue to lead a happy and healthy lifestyle”.

A portion of the proceeds are being donated to Educate a Child by The Color Run with 1$ of every entry donated to the charity.