The Happiest 5km in the World – The Color Run UK

I’ve never been a fan of running. I’ve done numerous Race for Life and Great Manchester Runs. Hell I have even done the Wilmslow Half Marathon yet I hated every minute of it. I’m not a natural runner. I get out of breath so quickly and have to do the whole ‘run and walk’ thing meaning I am also incredibly slow. So when LV asked if I wanted to do the Color Run I was actually fully prepared to say no and that it wasn’t for me. Then I remembered the fun Charlie had doing the run last year and my plight to get healthy in time for my America and thought, sod it.

Called ‘the happiest 5km in the world’ the pack certainly started in a fun way with the arrival of a t shirt to run in, a temporary tattoo, a sweat band, a poncho and my number. It reminded me of the Ethiopian 10km I walked (the altitude and a fellow charity worker in hospital meant there was no way I was risking my health!) where all the runners had to wear the same t shirts. It was so amazing to see a sea of colour flooding the grey concrete streets.

Here we all are at the start line! Not only is this the happiest 5km in the world but it is also the most relaxed. The only rules? Turn up in a white t shirt and get coloured. You can walk, run, jog or skip the run, this isn’t a race. There are no marker points, no timings, nothing competitive apart from just how coloured you can get.

The colour is in powder form and thrown over you at various points throughout the route. I was prepared in sunglasses (yelp ones at that) to keep my eyes clear but did end up coughing a fair bit! It is all natural though so no nastiness here, they couldn’t call it the happiest 5km in the world then could they?

The sun shined down on the Etihad as we took to the course. I chose to walk, jog and run in equal measures having not ran for months and you know what? It felt good. Friends who run regularly tell me it isn’t just good for your health but also your mind. There is nothing like pounding the pavements after a tough day to either think about your life or blank it all out and clear your mind. I have to say this is the first time I have finished a run and felt just like that. I wanted to do it again, I felt so good. Sure my legs were aching, I was bright red and my fingers had all swollen up but I felt like I had the best workout and so much fun at the same time.

As for paint coverage I got well and truly involved. So much so that when I pulled my headband off I could see just how much colour powder had been tipped over my head… I have Miss Pond to thank for that…!

With the paint washed out of my hair and my t shirt back white I have to say I had the most fun I ever have when running. So much so I can’t wait for the Race for Life I am doing this weekend. And you know what? I will be keeping this running malarkey up. The further I got, the easier my breathing was and the longer I could run for without my legs wanting to give way. Now if someone can find me the happiest marathon in the world I’ll start my training, consider that a challenge!

I ran The Color Run UK with #LVLoveLife who kindly covered the cost of my entry fee. With a huge grin on my face still on the day after I can guarantee this is an honest and unbiased review. I’ll see you at the start line next year.