Since making its vibrant Doha début in 2015, The Color Run™has quickly left its mark on our capital as one of the most anticipated events of the New Year. Supported by Weill-Cornell Medicine-Qatar and presented by Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First, The Color Run™empowers participants to celebrate a healthy lifestyle in a way that’s fun and engaging.

With more than 6,500 people taking part in last year’s event, we wanted to know how organizers (pardon the pun) keep it all on-track! So, we headed over to see Greg Sproule, Managing Director of IMG Middle East – organizers of The Color Run™,to find out what goes into pulling off the ‘Happiest 5k on the Planet’ without a hitch.

ILQ: Aside from the colourfully obvious, what sets The Color Run™ apart so much that it’s touted as the ‘Happiest 5k on the Planet’?

GS:The Color Run™ is definitely a very colourful event and for those that are unfamiliar with the concept, it’s a five-kilometre un-timed fun run where participants, or as we like to call them, ‘Color Runner’s, run, walk, dance, jog or skip through the course with their family and friends. At every kilometre, Color Runners will then be covered head to toe in an array of magical colours.

This event is touted as being ‘The Happiest 5k on the Planet™’ because it celebrates health, happiness and individuality by both empowering and encouraging participants of all ages and abilities to focus on their health.

ILQ: Are there any new elements to this year’s event that organizers are bringing to Qatar for The Color Run™2017?

GS: Yes, there are most definitely a number of new elements that we will be bringing to Qatar for the 2017 edition of The Color Run™! This year we have a unique new theme, the Tropicolor World Tour, which both seasoned Color Runners and first timers will be able to enjoy. The new Tropicolor Zone, as part of the course is a lively, island-style experience complete with more fun and more color! The distinct zone is complete with palm trees and arches, and Color Runners will be covered head to toe in a tropical array of colours every kilometre.

Once Color Runners have completed the fun run, the festivities will continue at the un-missable Finish Festival, a larger-than-life party with Rainbow Beach – an interactive island with music, dancing, photo opportunities, entertainment, activations, and the not to be missed massive colour throws.

ILQ: The Color Run™is held all over the world, and this will be the third year in row that it’s come to Doha. As an organizer, what’s been the most rewarding part of putting it all together?

GS: It’s really amazing that since bursting onto the scene, The Color Run™ has grown to be the single largest event series worldwide, tripling in size and hosting more than 225 events across 35 countries since its début. The most rewarding part for us is to see that this event brings together first-time runners, repeat Color Runners, friends, families and different members of the community to lead a healthier, more active lifestyle. The Color Run™ focuses on exciting people about fitness and their health, and we are truly proud to be part of such a fantastic experience for people.

ILQ: What are the demographics of The Color Run™in Qatar? Who’s coming out to take part and how have numbers increased since its inaugural year?

GS: As an inclusive event, The Color Run^TM is open to all of Doha’s residents regardless of age and ability, while offering participants a unique way to stay healthy. Every year we see Color Runners™ from all walks of life coming to take part in the ‘Happiest 5k on the Planet^TM.

Last year was our best year yet and we also saw an increase in the number of Color Runners™ that participated, with more than 6,500 taking part. Of course, this year we hope to have even more participants take part in this fantastic event!

ILQ: What’s one aspect of The Color Run™that makes it memorable for participants, and what would you say to encourage someone who has never taken part to come out for the first time?

GS: The great thing about The Color Run™ presented by Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First, is that there is not one thing that makes it memorable for the participants – there are many elements that come together on the day. These include, but are not limited to: the fun and lively atmosphere; Color Runners™ participating in an event surrounded by their family and friends; taking part in a relaxed fun run; taking the time to focus on your health and fitness; the new Race Pack which includes a limited edition Tropicolor T-shirt, headband, flower lei and fun tattoos, all of which people are strongly encouraged to wear on the day; and much, much more. The Color Run™ is the type of event that really has something for everyone, so whatever you’re looking for you will surely get out of it!

As for those participants who have never taken part, I would strongly encourage them to do so. The Color Run™ presented by Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First is a race that celebrates health, happiness and individuality – this is something that absolutely everyone can get on board with, so make sure to get your tickets today as spaces are limited and you definitely don’t want to miss out on this exciting event.

ILQ: What’ been the community feedback from previous Color Runsand how have you sought to build upon that feedback when it comes to participants’ experience?

GS: The community feedback from previous Color Runs has been overwhelmingly positive and Color Runners™ were waiting enthusiastically for us to confirm our next event here in Doha.

Feedback is something that’s extremely important to us as we always strive to make the participant experience better each and every time. We’re also focused on the event’s new theme and, for the upcoming event, we’ll be having a new Tropicolor Zone as part of the Tropicolor World Tour. Think of it as, well you could say, your very own island-style vacation right in the heart of Doha.

ILQ: How will next year’s event continue to grow and what are you looking forward to the most?

GS: We are really looking forward to The Color Run™ presented by Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First which is taking place at the end of January, and we believe that it will grow in terms of the number of Color Runners™ that will take part. So far, thousands of tickets have already been sold and we’re anticipating thousands more to be sold in the weeks leading up to the event.

As always, we’re looking forward to putting together another fantastic edition of The Color Run™ where thousands of Color Runners of all ages and abilities will have the chance to run, walk, dance, jog or skip through the five-kilometre course with their family and friends, and will be covered from head to toe in a magical array of colours. Finishing is a huge accomplishment in itself and is a testament to the dedication of every single one of the Color Runners. The Finish Festival will also be a fabulous way to end the day with a massive colour fight and numerous other activities and activations!

The Color Run™ will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at QNCC with the race kicking off at 8:30 a.m. Partcipants’ are asked to please arrive by 7:00 a.m. Tickets are available at www.thecolourrun.qa.

Will we be seeing you at the finish line? Tell us how fast you can run in the comments section below and don’t forget to give us a like or a share – it keeps us going!

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Ashlee

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