Run aims for brighter future

PAINT THE TOWN: Happy runners from a similar event held in Auckland.PHOTO/FILE

Whanganui's youth councillors loved the idea of a colour run - so they ran with it.

As part of Youth Week, the Dub Dee See (WDC) Youth Committee is holding its first ever Brighter Future Colour Run on Saturday.

During a colour run participants are doused from head to toe with a non-toxic coloured powder at regular intervals.

The Whanganui run is to support suicide awareness.

Youth councillor and colour run organiser Jackie Hazelhurst says: "Youth can often feel there is 'no way out' when facing depression and the run will be an uplifting and positive event that encourages a sense of community.

"The Youth Council was inspired to organise a colour run of its own after attending the Lower North Island Youth Council Conference and hearing about a colour run Youth Voice Horowhenua had successfully organised."

The run will start at 1pm and go through to 3pm.

The event is run in conjunction with Ng Tai o te Awa's suicide prevention programme, Kia Piki Te Ora.

Registrations open at noon at the YMCA Community Centre, 125 Grey St. Entry is free, but participants are encouraged to give a gold coin koha.

Jackie said once the committee decided on the colour run, the discussion flowed.

"We loved their idea so we made it our own and ran with it.

"Once we began organising the colour run it became apparent that this event was a good way to create discussion and thought in an uplifting way."

Runners and walkers will do laps of a course at the front of the YMCA.

Spot prizes will also be given out on the day.

For more information go to the Whanganui District Council Youth Committee Facebook page.