A sellout crowd of 12,000 runners, all dressed in white running gear today completed the 5km course around Stockland Park at Kawana Waters for The Swisse Color Run – known as the Happiest 5k on the Planet – being showered with blue, pink, orange and yellow colour powder (100% natural food grade corn starch) along the way.
Based on a hugely successful US event and inspired in part by the Hindu Holi Festival, the run, which is not timed or about winning, but having fun and celebrating life. The day culminated in a ‘Finish Festival’ which saw Color Runners of all ages enjoying themselves, taking part in mass throws of coloured powder in every shade of the rainbow.
As the event’s official charity partner, SunnyKids was given the opportunity to raise funds through the Everyday Hero platform. In addition, event organisers make a payment to SunnyKids in exchange for the provision of volunteers. Total funds raised for SunnyKids through the event are yet to be finalised, but will be in excess of $35,000. The event’s Everyday Hero page will remain open to take donations for a month following the event.
Overall, today’s event raised in excess of $60,000 for both SunnyKids as the official charity partner on the Sunshine Coast, along with the event’s national philanthropic partner, Swisse’s Celebrate Life Foundation.
The Swisse Color Run is a commercial venture. The event itself is not a charity event, but chooses to support charitable organisations.