Rainbow run a colourful success
More than 1000 people flocked to New Plymouth’s Coastal Walkway yesterday knowing full well they were going to have to have an extra-long, colourful shower afterwards.
The Mitre 10 Rainbow Run saw participants walk, run and scooter from the East End Reserve to Nga¯motu Beach, through six stations where coloured chalk was thrown at them.
It was the first time Susie Marinovich and her son Ollie, 8, had taken part in the charity event and they loved it.
‘‘I will be back next year,’’ Susie said.
‘‘Next year I might sprint,’’ Ollie added.
Susie walked with her friends and Ollie ran with one of his mates – and he didn’t let the cast on half his arm, for a broken thumb, slow him down.
They said the stations had all the colours of the rainbow.
‘‘By the end of it you look like this,’’ Susie said gesturing at herself. ‘‘I worked out that you keep your mouth closed [at the stations].’’
Ollie said he’d ended up with some chalk in his mouth, but he didn’t mind.
‘‘I dived into the orange,’’ Ollie said.
It was Emmeline Penberth’s second time doing the rainbow run, but she wouldn’t remember her first time – she was in her mum’s belly.
And while the 2-year-old did not complete the five-kilometre walk, and her dad Joseph had to ask a friend for a ride halfway through, she still managed to get some chalk on her.
Emmeline was joined by her sister Isabelle, 4, and mum Eloise, too.
‘‘It’s one of the best family events,’’ Eloise said.
Tara Stephen’s and her children, including, Lawson, 9, and Mieka, 4, took part for the first time and loved it.
They were absolutely caked with chalk after the walk, and mass colour throw that happened afterward.
While Tara and Mieka walked, Lawson had a speedier idea and scootered.
Event organiser Tony Long said in a statement that all the tickets had sold for the event, which helps to raise money for Sport Taranaki activities and programmes around the province.
Long said it was brilliant to see the community enjoying some active time together. ‘‘It’s been awesome seeing everyone come out and have a blast again.’’