by Margaret Anjelie P. Llorico
UNDER the vibrant sky as the dawn broke to crack into a golden sunrise, around a thousand people are seen running fast, feeling the speed of the wind, dancing around in bright colors, jumping to the DJ’s beat.
That kind of fun is only found in the country’s biggest and most colorful fun run event, Paradise Run Iloilo.
Paradise Run is Color Manila’s first ever event held in Iloilo. In partnership with Camella, the event provided a colorful atmosphere last June 24 at Vista Mall.
Around 1,500 runners assembled at 4:30 a.m. and ran in the three available categories – 3k, 5k, and 10k. The participants were not only from Iloilo, as some have travelled all the way from Bacolod to experience the fun during the color-filled Sunday morning.
What made this fun run unique is not just the fact that while they run, powders of different hues were being thrown at them, but also the fact that all of the runners were declared winners at the finish line, just as long as they conquered running in the category they chose. Those who came back and completed the run of their required kilometer got awarded with a medal.
Justine Cordero, the Vice President of Color Manila told Panay News, that “in Color Manila, everybody is a winner. Whether you register for 3k, 5k, 10k – whether you run fast or you run slow, it doesn’t really matter, because what we really want is just to encourage people to get into healthier lifestyle and just start running.”
The participants were able to be a part of the event when they registered through prepaid cards, online, and on-site at Vista Mall Iloilo. The registration had three categories: Deluxe, Rockstar, and Superstar. Everybody cheers up when it was announced that those who registered for the Superstar (the highest category) will have the chance to win a house and lot from Camella.
Paradise Run Iloilo is one of the Camella events nationwide where a house and lot gets to be raffled out and those who participate, just as long as in the Superstar category, are eligible for the raffle.
“Camella is our presenter for this event. They are our biggest sponsor. We’re very happy to be here in Camella Savannah. They are the reason why we are here after six years,” Cordero further informed, referring to Color Manila’s first time being in Iloilo despite the six-year run of the business.
The highlight of the event was the party that started at 7 in the morning.
After running such a great distance, the participants gathered up before the stage with their color packets at hand. After the countdown ended, a momentous event occurred: the runners ripped their color packets open and powders of different colors all flew into the air. Pink, blue, yellow, and purple blend perfectly in the atmosphere as the participants threw their hands up and moved their bodies to the DJ’s beat.
Jumping up and down and dancing all around with colors surrounding them, these runners cheering at the top of their voices couldn’t conceal the fun they were having.
unning in colors and dancing around hues, what a way to start a Sunday morning! When Camella and Color Manila join forces, it is a kaleidoscope of fun-filled experiences./PN
