The Tribune

THE 242 Colour Run graced the streets of Nassau for the sixth consecutive year on Sunday. The event attracted over 300 participants and scores of volunteers, all which ended up covered in sweat and colour.

The event benefitted the Rotary and Rotaract Clubs of East Nassau. The overall theme was tied to Rotary International's theme, "Be The Inspiration".

This year is especially memorable because Bahamian Barry Rassin is currently the President of the Rotary International organisation, with over 1.2 million members worldwide.

While Rassin could not be present, he was kept up to date with almost instant photos of the event from fellow Rotarians, and shared "now that is an inspiration!" with his worldwide social media followers. The 242 Colour Run course started at the Eastern Parade, rounded Montagu Foreshore, crossed over the bridges, and ended at the Green Parrot restaurant on the harbourfront. The approximately 6km long race had colour stations along the way, where volunteers tossed a non-toxic, food-based colour powder on the participants.

The stations were manned by Rotary and Rotaract members, as well as by Evolve Functional Fitness and Voltar's World. The race was not timed and had no winners or losers; participants were encouraged to run, walk, skip, hop or jump through the course.

While there were no medals to be awarded, there were a host of prizes to be won. The prizes were drawn by random bib winner to those participants who stayed for the after-party at Green Parrot. Prizes included gift certificates to small Bahamian businesses such as The Kitchen Deli, The Paper Place, and Lightbourne Marine.

Locally made crafts were also raffled off - Karen Diane donated a beautiful hand-painted bag. Bahama Art & Handicraft donated a hand-made sign to the best costume, which went to a youngster dressed as "Wonder Woman".

Many people stayed for the prize awards due to the top prize giveaways for the year. Pupstar Entertainment, who also provided signage and audio support, donated a movie-night event valued at over $500. Harbour Safaris, a local Bahamian-owned tour company, donated a private charter for an evening harbour cruise, custom tervis tumblers and discount coupons on all of their tours.

The largest value prize was donated by Albany - lunch and resort day passes for 4 guests, valued at over $2000.

A brand new venture, Blackbeard's Escape, also donated prizes to the 242 Colour Run. The experience is the first "escape room" to be opened in the Bahamas, and is now taking bookings for tourists, locals, families, groups and corporate team-building events.

The event would not have been possible without the ongoing support of many established businesses. Aquapure Water has been providing hydration to the event since inception in 2013; Powerade provided after-race electrolyte drinks, and Sands Beer was available for the adults. BWA products Biore and McVities provided sponsorship and samples for each of the race bags.

In all, over $5000 worth of products and prizes were handed out to the participants. Every participant received a swag bag with donated products, a colour packet, "Be the Inspiration" Rotary sunglasses, tattoos, their bib number, and a t-shirt.

The event went off almost without a hitch - due to the amount of last minute registrations, some t-shirt sizes were mix-matched. The 242 Colour Run supports local business, and Tees-R-Us, based in Spanish Wells, was able to print additional shirts to meet the demand.

"We had a great time this year, with over 300 participants from across the Bahamas" said Lee McCoy, race director and owner of PROMPT, the organizers. "Participants came in from Abaco, Freeport, and even as far away as Puerto Rico.

"Our biggest problem was 3 weeks before only 30 people were registered - we'd really like to encourage everyone to register as soon as possible next year so we can have a bigger and better event in 2019."

Long time volunteer and supporter, Tangerine Dinnick, brought her new company Evolve Functional Fitness to the event. Her trainers' enthusiasm and support of the event was clearly evident, with the Evolve brand livening up the crowd with a pre-race stretch routine, prizes, and over-abundant excitement at their colour station.

Doctors' Hospital and Bahamas Waste provided logistical support to the event, as they have done many times in the past. Along with unwavering corporate support, many participants return every year.

Brothers Cameron and Dorian Roach, of the Bahamas Triathlon Association, competed again with Cameron's daughter Kami. Large groups also took part, such as Let's Dance Bahamas and Bahamas Realty. Every year the 242 Colour Run brings camaraderie, family fun, and goodwill to all who participate and volunteer.

Coming up, PROMPT has a busy November - the month starts with the Conchman Triathlon in Freeport. The oldest triathlon in the Bahamas, the Conchman attracts participants from across the Bahamas as well as internationally.

The Exuma Marathon (Run for Pompey) follows in Exuma on November 10th, and the Bahamas Half Marathon, 5k and 10k takes place on November 18th. The month ends with the 5k Hope Town Turtle Trot, a play on the American Thanksgiving tradition of a "turkey trot".

Interested persons can visit their website www.RacePROMPT.com for more information and how to register for the various races.