The Color Run Singapore 2016 – I completed my first “Happiest 5k on the Planet”

Over the last weekend, the Color Run Tropicolor World 2016 kicked off with much excitment at Sentosa Island. The run was conducted over two days, Saturday and Sunday on 20 and 21 August.

Into it’s fourth edition in Singapore this year and promoted as “the happiest 5k on the planet”, I am sure many are familiar with the hype over the run because of all the colourful pictures of runners shared on social media. This year, I finally found time to join the run together with my running buddy, Sam Holmes.

Completed @thecolorrunsg with running buddy, Sam Holmes today! Old people San join this #happiest5k fun run too! #thecolorrun #colorrun2016

A photo posted by Alvinology.com (@alvinology) on Aug 21, 2016 at 6:54am PDT

Yes, we are a bit old… but we completed the run, joined in the party and got splashed with lots of coloured powder like the rest of the young runners.

It was mighty fun. A lot of people signed up for the run in large groups and wore bright, happy costumes. Many ended up walking rather than running, but it’s a fun run after all. As long as everyone completes the 5km and have fun along the way, objectives are met.

The run is also family-friendly. I saw quite a few parents running with their kids and some even carried their kids on the back or were pushing strollers. There were also runners together with friends in wheelchairs.

For me, I was running while catching Pokemons as Sentosa Island is full of Pokestops and rare Pokemons!

For first-timers joining the Color Run like me, just relax and let down your usual stiff self and go crazy with the crowd. The crazier you get, the more you will enjoy the run. Also, try to get more friends to run together with you for even more fun.

At each of the pitstop, don’t shy away from the staff throwing coloured powders at you. It’s part of the experience and you can’t say you have participated in the Color Run if you do not end up as a rainbow-coloured mess!

Don’t worry too much about cleaning up after the run. There are sponsors at the event who will provide you with wet wipes. When boarding the tram back to Sentosa, there will be ponchos provided to you, in consideration of other passengers.

I went home right after the run, but the evening culminated in a colorful festivity as runners were treated to music at the finish line. Stay for the afterparty if you still have the energy.

I will be back again next year for the Color Run 2017 after my first experience this year!