A COLOURFUL PARTY...
RAINFALL HAD some participants running a bit late, but it hardly deterred the supporters of this year’s Colour Me Happy 5K Run/Walk and afterparty. From Hope Gardens, along Hope Road and through Hope Pastures, approximately 1,500 persons clad mostly in white, took to the streets in show of their contribution to earlychildhood education.
Kamila McDonald, one of the event’s ambassadors, kicked off the schedule with an energetic warm-up, before emcee Jenny Jenny got the crowd on their marks.
The rain clouds burst moments after the run began, covering the runners in a steady, pleasant drizzle, for which some were more prepared than others. (One participant completed his run with an open umbrella.)
PALPABLE ENERGY
After a 4:30 p.m., start, many of the runners had made it to the finish line back in Hope Gardens before 6 p.m. The energy was palpable. It was announced that Rex Nettleford Hall of the University of the West Indies and Hillel Academy, between them, had registered almost 200 of the 1,500 participants.
Regardless of having just completed a 5K run/walk, the youngsters who lingered for the after-party unleashed engulfing clouds of coloured dust, at the behest of Jenny Jenny.
Dancehall artiste Tanto Blacks made a special guest appearance.
Congo lines were later formed and cheerleaders made pyramids as the party, electrified by endorphins, danced for three and a half more hours to the spinning of DJ Cruise, DJ Tyler, DJ Zacho and DJ Mac on the turntables.
Colour Me Happy 2016 was sponsored by The Gleaner, Starlight Production, WATA, Powerade, Coca-Cola, Stewart’s Automotive Group, MailPac, KFC, Phoenix Printery, CIBC, Skaan Media, Paramount Jamaica, JP Farms, Mayberry Investments, Barcode and iPrint Digital.