A colourful run through Paihia
In a blaze of colour, the Bay of Islands Rotary Club-sponsored Colour Run took place in Paihia at the end of March.
Runners started off wearing white but were transformed into rainbows as they were showered with colour “bombs” at seven stations along the route.
The colour bombs were made with corn starch that could be washed out, so no runner was harmed.
It was promoted as inducing a “smile from ear to ear, you’ll be laughing your way to the finish line in a frenzy of colourful happiness”.
All participants received a medal and spot prizes were donated by local businesses, including a helicopter ride, a Bluetooth speaker and a boat trip to Otehei Bay.
The run began and ended at Horotutu Reserve, next to the wharf in Paihia. The route travelled along the beachfront between Waitangi and the far end of Paihia Beach. There were various modes of progress including jogging, skipping and even hopping.
A young man called Dominic won the Bluetooth speaker for finishing first. Other spot prizes went to a family deemed the best dressed and the Otehei Bay trip went to visitors to the area who were awarded “the most colourful” at the end.
One of the families who participated in the Paihia Colour Run in March.
The Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board granted $1460 towards the run and the Rotary Club of the Bay of Islands raised $2360, which will be spent on community projects that in the past have included the installation of barbecues along the beach and sprucing up local buildings.
Colour Run events are held around the world and are inspired by the Hindu festival of Holi.