The first Yellowknife Colour Run is taking place on Saturday, hosted by the YK Munch, Sip and Paint Carnival. Tham Ncube, who is a lead organizer, told True North FM that so far 300 participants have registered.
“Our hope really is as organisers that this will become a Yellowknife landmark, people will know that there’s a Yellowknife Colour Run taking place in September and it will become synonymous with this time of the year,” said Ncube.
Ncube emphasized that organizers wanted to create a fun, untimed running environment geared towards health and happiness versus competition.
Participants can walk, run, or stroll for the 3 km Colour Run starting at City Hall and ending at the Multiplex Complex.
Ncube explained that all proceeds are going to a good cause: in support of Inclusion NWT this year.
This is the first year the event will take place in Yellowknife, joining Colour Runs across the country, in cities like Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.
Organizers are welcoming folks from near and wide to enjoy music, food, drink, dance and be coloured with coloured powder in” red, blue, yellow, and every colour in between!”
The Colour Run is inspired by Holi, an ancient Hindu festival which is traditionally celebrated in March in Indian communities around the world, marking the arrival of spring and the rejuvenation of nature. During Holi, people celebrate the festival by throwing coloured powders and water at each other.
Members of the organizing committee are from South India where the Holi Festival of Colour takes place each year.
Inclusion is what the run is all about, which is why organizers wanted to honour Inclusion NWT this year.
“The kind of work that they do enables people with disabilities to live lives of respect and dignity and then they build their worth and value in the society. And for me, that’s a big thing, because itt allows people to become part of an inclusive society. So, because without that people feel isolated, I think that’s a key thing,” he emphasized
“So there is a charitable aspect to it as well. And we hope that as the event grows, we can contribute to the amazing work that is done by the non-profit organisations in the city,” he explained
Ncube said that for organizers inclusion goes hand in hand with a healthy environment
“We’re hoping to give people that feeling of inclusion coming here”
Over 300 people have signed up for the run so far. Ncube said that organizers are thrilled that there is such a positive response and are excited to begin planning next year’s event.
“The community is really, really excited. We are really thankful for how this has been received.”
