By Jian Farhoumand and Thomas Davies

 

The Dulux Color Run, a sporting event in support of Cancer Research UK, took place on Brighton seafront today.

The race, an American initiative which sees participants running through clouds of coloured powder, started at 11am on Madeira Drive, Kemp Town, and involved competitors from all over the world.

Jenna Carroll, 25, a hospital worker from Croydon, was inspired to sign up after her grandfather died of cancer. She said: “It’s for charity, everyone’s been affected by cancer.”

Runners paid £29.99 to enter and many raised further sponsorship online. Mrs. Carroll ran with three friends, adding: “Together we fundraised about a thousand pounds.”

The event is inspired by an Indian religious celebration, the Holi Festival of Colours.

Entrants begin the 5km race in clean, white T-shirts and pass through specially placed stations at 1km intervals where they are showered with dyed cornstarch powder.

The untimed event has no winners or prizes but instead promotes fun over speed.

Tara Rogers, 26, of Burgess Hill, came to support her mother who was running, and said: “It was great, we loved it. Even my dog Bailey got covered in powder.”

Miss Rogers added: ”It was so much fun. I’m definitely going to do it next year, and even with Bailey if we’re allowed.”

Kelly, 28, a runner from London, who entered as part of a group, said: “We did the last run in London a few months ago. We loved it so much we came to Brighton to do this one.”

Her friend Kim, 21, added: “We did it for charity and the exercise.”

Over one million runners have participated in Color Runs globally in the past year.

Sven, 28, from Perth, Australia, concluded: “The weather held, so that was good. We’ve had an amazing time in Brighton and we’ll definitely come back.”