Runners enjoy dash of colour (+videos)

Rotorua became a sea of colour yesterday as runners took part in the first Colour Dash, where the aim was to finish with as much colour as possible.

The event was one of four organised across New Zealand this year to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House. More than $60,000 was raised with $7700 from the Rotorua event.

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Around 600 people ran and walked 5km getting a splash of colour at five colour stations around the course.

At the end there were two more "colour bombs".

"I've been waiting for this to come to New Zealand," said Whakatane runner Missy Foulkes, who ran with her friend Janis Robb in pink wigs.

"I've got family in the United States and UK who have done it. I saw it was coming here and thought, awesome.

"It lived up to my expect-ations and more," she said.

"It was fantastic - an excellent course and we wanted all the colour."

The course wound its way from the Village Green along the lakefront to Sulphur Drive, through the Government Gardens and back to the Village Green.

Photos: Colour Dash

Image 1 of 11: Colour dash Photo/Ben Fraser

Half of the proceeds were given straight to the nominated charity.

"Everyone can do the Colour Dash," said organiser Luisa Schroder.

"All ages, stages, whether you want to run, walk or push a pushchair. It appeals to all levels."

She said they would be back next year with double the events and the Rotorua event would be one of its pinnacle races.

"It's been beautiful here. This is our most picturesque course we've run."