Colour Dash NZ raises $28k for charity

Put a bunch of people, several tonnes of coloured powder and a running track together and the result is something pretty spectacular!

The inaugural Colour Dash NZ took place yesterday at Tauranga Racecourse with over 1500 people taking part in the 5km fun run to raise money for Auckland’s Ronald McDonald House.

After a quick warm up with the Zumba Sisters followed by Bay of Plenty Polytechnic fitness tutors, participants dressed in bright white t-shirts gathered at the start of the course ready to run, walk, crawl or even push a stroller to each of the sponsored colour stations.

Throughout the run colourful bursts of powder could be seen around the race track and, as runners finished lap one of two, the previously white t-shirts were boasting a few new colours. The band, Mr Krinkles, kept the early finishers entertained while they waited for the first of two massive colour explosions, courtesy of major sponsor Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

As the colour explosion countdown began, polytechnic staff and student ambassadors armed with buckets of purple powder weaved into the crowd and, on cue, threw huge bursts of colour into the air.

With loads of spot prizes and giveaways, live music, food and even a bit of sunshine in the mix, the energy was high. To top it all off, a cheque was presented to Ronald McDonald House for a total of $28,000, which will contribute to keeping families together when they need it most.

Last year over 300 families from the Bay of Plenty region spent time at Ronald McDonald House which provides a home for families while children are receiving medical care at Starship Hospital.