Run joyfully through beautiful gardens across 69 cities in four regions on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, 29 countries across five continents, and 128 scenic spots... The American-originated "Color Run" activity is coming to China. The inaugural event will take place on the afternoon of August 10th at Beijing Garden Expo Park, where ten thousand participants will experience a “colorful summer” amid the picturesque scenery of the park.
The Color Run is a fun-filled event that originated in the United States in 2011, covering a distance of 5 kilometers. It's typically participated in by families and friends who run, walk, and play along the way, often laughing out loud. Compared to traditional competitive running, this event emphasizes “participation, fun, and color.” Last year, over 600,000 people worldwide took part, and it is expected that nearly 2 million participants will join events in 100 cities around the world in 2013.
This year, the Beijing Olympic City Development Promotion Center and IMG have introduced the Color Run to China. The first event will be held on August 10th at Beijing Garden Expo Park. The Garden Expo Park Color Run will be the inaugural event in China and is set to become an annual fixture at the park.
Adam Zhu, Vice President of the Asia-Pacific region, and Chairman and President for Greater China at IMG Group—the exclusive licensing partner—told reporters: “The Beijing Garden Expo Park Color Run covers a 5-kilometer route and features the most scenic backdrop among dozens of similar events in cities globally. Participants can enjoy the vibrant and colorful experience while taking in views of 128 gardens from 69 cities in four regions on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and 29 countries across five continents.”
Following international conventions, the Color Run features a start zone, color stations, and a finish zone. Participants collect a goody bag at the start containing a white T-shirt, color powder packs, disposable raincoats, event wristbands, color stickers, eco-friendly garbage bags, and more. They then depart in timed waves along the designated route. Throughout the event, each kilometer includes a color station featuring yellow, green, red, blue, and the purple powder provided in the goody bag. As runners or walkers reach each station, staff and volunteers throw colored powder on them. At the finish zone, hosts will lead arriving participants in games, gift giveaways, and more powder throwing... hosting a fun-filled party. The event is expected to attract around 10,000 participants.
Organizers explain that the Color Run highlights green and environmentally friendly principles, aligning with those promoted by the Garden Expo. All the color powder packets thrown during the event are made of 100% natural food-grade starch, completely safe for humans and the environment. The starting point is located at the Lugouqiao Auto Campsite, just 50 meters from a subway station, making it convenient for participants to arrive by public transport. Each participant is given a disposable raincoat, and they are encouraged to wear it after the event to avoid transferring color to fellow commuters. Most of the route runs within the Garden Expo Park, minimizing the impact on surrounding traffic.
It is reported that one week after the Garden Expo Park event, the next Color Run will take place in Singapore on August 17th.