A SPLASH of colour will greet runners taking part in a 5km charity race in West Oxfordshire on Saturday.

Some 2,500 people have signed up for Run or Dye – dubbed the “world’s most colourful 5km” – at the Cornbury Park estate, near Charlbury.

They will be blasted by colourful dye explosions as they run around the course before celebrating with a party.

Sam Malachowski, the event MC, said: “Run or Dye is for everyone, from recovering couch potatoes to keen marathon runners.

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“It’s a celebration of life, friendship, fun and fitness – and, of course, colour.

“We have had a great response from people in Oxfordshire and look forward to running the rainbow in the spectacular setting of Cornbury Park.”

Lady Rotherwick, who owns the estate with her husband Lord Rotherwick, said: ‘We are delighted to host Run or Dye this weekend and are much looking forward to the park being alive with colour.”

The Run or Dye series, which has been held in or around 150 cities across the world, was launched in the UK this year. This will be the last of nine 2014 events in the country, including ones in Liverpool and Guildford.

It follows a similar fundraiser, called the Rainbow Run, organised by children and young adults hospice Helen & Douglas House in the University Parks, Oxford, in June.

Originally an American franchise, Run or Dye draws inspiration from the ancient Hindu festival of Holi, also known as the “Festival of Colours”, where people gather to sing, dance, play, chase and colour each other with powder.

Volunteers will blast runners – encouraged to wear all-white – with coloured showers of safe, eco-friendly paint at five dye stations around the estate.

At the finish line they can “tie-dye the sky” by letting off their own colourful explosions.

A festival with DJs will then entertain runners at the estate, should they still have the energy.

The event will raise money for national charity StreetGames, which helps disadvantaged youngsters play more sport, but organisers have also offered to support Oxfordshire charities who get in touch.

Charlbury Town Council chairman Nick Potter said: “Cornbury Park is a good place to go running, which I used to when I was a child.

“It’s very good that the estate can host these kinds of events.”

  • The race starts at 9.30am and the festival is expected to begin at about 11.30am. Entry costs £28 or £30. Visit uk.runordye.com

 

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