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The Color Run breaks records for the fifth year in a row with over 10,000 runners

The course was run by more than 10,000 people - a Doha Color Run record.
The course was run by more than 10,000 people - a Doha Color Run record.

Doha was covered in color as The Color Run presented by Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First returned to the Qatar National Convention Centre.

A record-breaking turnout of more than 10,000 Color Runners completed the Happiest 5K on the Planet as they walked, ran, skipped, and, most importantly, laughed their way to the finish line on Saturday in their most colorful attire.

One of the biggest events that Doha has ever seen, this edition of the Color Run was part of The Hero Tour, featuring an all-new Super Zone and Foam Zone as part of the 5k course.

The Foam Zone was a popular new addition to the course.

Shaun, who ran in the event, said: “This is my second color run and I felt this year’s event was extremely well organized and it was great to see such a massive turnout of first-time runners. The the foam pit was a fantastic addition and having medals at the end of the race made me feel happy and accomplished. It was so much fun.”

People of all fitness levels gathered for the warm up, before the first wave jetted off on the 5k course in clean white shirts, capes, tutus, socks and sunglasses before getting doused from head to toe in color.

At the finish line, runners were bursting with colors, energy, and pride as they collected their medals, before heading to the Finish Festival to celebrate with their friends, families and colleagues, enjoying the live music and games.

Some runners were covered head-to-toe in color.

Nesreen Al-Refai, chief communications officer for Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, which runs the Your Health First campaign said: “The wonderful thing about the Color Run is that it brings together huge numbers of people of all ages and from all parts of the community to exercise and have great fun at the same time. The event is so much fun that it really inspires people to get active and make regular exercise part of their everyday routine, which is one of the core messages of Sahtak Awalan – Your Health First.”

The run ended with the Finish Festival.

Since its inception in 2012, The Color Run has become a global phenomenon, continuing to innovate the 5k paint race genre each year. The event has been experienced by over 6 million people worldwide in 35+ countries and has donated a staggering $6 million to charity to date. In Qatar, the Color Run donated a portion of every entry to Reach Out To Asia – a programme of Education Above All.