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The Color Run Presented by Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First Finishes its 6th Edition with a Sold Out Event.

The thousands of runners had a mass warm-up session before crowding to the start line.
The thousands of runners had a mass warm-up session before crowding to the start line.

Doha was covered in color as The Color Run, presented by Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First took place at Qatar Foundation’s Qatar National Convention Centre.

The 2020 edition saw more than 10,000 participants running, walking and skipping their way around QNCC, making it the largest Color Run ever in Qatar. Color runners came to share their joy with their friends and families as they made their way round the 5km course.

Nesreen Al-Rifai, chief communications officer for Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar which operates Your Health First, said: “We are so excited to once again see so many Color Runners. Our aim is to raise awareness of the importance of staying active and its relevance to our overall physical and mental health. We are happy to have succeeded in achieving this and contributing to the fulfilment of Qatar Foundation’s vision for community development.”

Dr. Abdulwahed Zainel, WCM-Q alumnus and chief resident at Sidra Medicine, with his two young Color Runners.

Color Runners took part in a lively warm-up before Dana Al-Ali, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) student and Your Health First Ambassador (YHF) officially raised the flag at the starting line seeing the first batch of participants set off from the start line at 8.30am.

“The Color Run is such an exciting event. This is my second year participating and the energy is just amazing. Everyone is so positive and enthusiastic each year and I love seeing all the families and children making the most of the event. Each year it just gets better and better.” said Dana Al-Ali, YHF ambassador and WCM-Q student.

The fun didn’t stop at the finish line, with the larger-than-life Finish Festival providing the perfect post-5k party as thousands of Color Runners celebrated with their friends and families with world-famous colorful throws.

“I’ve participated in every Color Run since the beginning. And this year was by far the biggest. My friends and I look forward to it each year and we love coming out to celebrate this colorful day! It is so much fun, and we love it how each year the theme is different. This year is great; we all choose love. We will be back again next year.” says Mohammed, a 6th time Color Runner.

This year's run was the biggest and best yet.

Christian Moufarrej, event director, said: “The turnout has been absolutely amazing this year. We are so grateful to everyone who supports the event and our charity year after year in Doha. Thank you to everyone for joining The Color Run Love Tour, and we are looking forward to next year already!”

Since its inception in 2012, The Color Run has become a global phenomenon. The event has been experienced by more than seven million people worldwide in 40+ countries and has donated $5 million to charity to date. This year’s event supported education for out-of-school children by donating a portion of the proceeds to Education for All in Qatar.