The Color Run Qatar was no ordinary run. It was like a whole world drenched in vivid colours. People of all ages, colours, beliefs, and nationalities were drenched in red, blue, green and yellow colours. It was a whole lot of colourful opportunity to dip ones toe into the world of running.
The fifth edition of The Color Run, presented by Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First, at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) saw as over as 10,000 people participating. It won’t be erroneous to say that this run provided a happy, spectrum-fuelled environment to get race on. 
Also known as Happiest 5K on the Planet, the run channels a festival vibe. People from all ages, children in cradles to over 70-year-old men participated in the colour fiesta. Incredibly enthusiastic volunteers were positioned every kilometre or so along the route, dousing runners in a series of multi-coloured powder paints. Spectacular clouds of colour-pops, brighter than anything, punctuated the 5k route.
Majority of the colour runners were young and teenagers, who enjoyed the healthy activity with crazy fun that ended with the DJ beats at the finale line. Wherever we looked, runners young and old were smiling and laughing their way along the course. Some of them ran and other walked to cover the distance. But, most importantly, laughed their way through to the finish line. 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.
People of all fitness levels gathered for the warm up session, before the first wave jetted off on the 5k course, in clean white shirts, capes, tutus, socks and sunglasses. 
At the finish line, runners were bursting with colours, energy, and pride as they collected their finishing medals. And that’s not it – live DJ performance and more colours awaited them in a separate arena. 
Talking to Community, Mohammed Najir, a young expatriate from Kerala, said: “I have been taking part in colour run for quite some time now. This is my third time, but this this year’s event was more well organised. It was great to see such a massive turnout of the runners. The foam zone was a good addition to the event. It was fun and amusement. We also received medal in the end that made me feel accomplished. I will attend the next edition as well with more of my friends.”
Matteo is from Italy and has been living in Qatar for two years. He took part in the colour run for the first time. He was with his family, wife and two young kids, all doused in different colours. He said, “We enjoyed a lot with our little ones. It was all wonderful. I think the organisers should’ve placed more water booths though especially for the children. I would love to attend more such sort of activities and events. Maybe, they should the next edition in Aspire Zone or at Corniche – as that’s even a bigger space.”
Nesreen al-Refai, Chief Communications Officer for Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, that 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 as of their everyday routine, which is one of the core messages of Sahtak Awalan – Your Health First.”
Christian Moufarrej, Senior Director of The Color Run by Sahtak Awalan, said, “We do lots of Color Run events across the world. It is my 25th Color Run. Doha is my favourite city to do it in. I think people are amazing. They loved the event. They loved the idea that we bring it here every year. The event has done a fantastic job in bringing the communities together. It shows how the people love the event. We have been doing it in Doha for the previous five years. Every year, there are more and more participants. We are really blessed to come to Doha. Hoping to continue this event.
“It actually helps the people to move and walk. It is a healthy activity. We started with 5,000 participants in the first edition and today we crossed 10,000. In 2020, we will try to find a bigger venue to accommodate the rising number of participants. “
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 over 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.