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Hope Town – The third 242 Colour Run occurred in Hope Town, Abaco on December 28th. After having successful races in Nassau & Freeport, the response in Abaco still surpassed the organizers expectations. Over 150 people participated in the colourful fun run/walk, with scores of volunteers and spectators taking part as well.

The excitement started to build around 8am at the Firefly Sunset Resort, the host for the event. While most of the participants were staying in Hope Town, there were approximately 40 persons who came over on the special Albury’s Ferry trip, which brought them directly to and from Firefly. Persons hailed from various locations, including Nassau, Eleuthera, Canada, the US and the UK. A group, aptly named “I thought your said rum”, also participated in the Nassau 242 Colour Run in July, and made a special trip to Abaco for the event. Participants of all ages took part, from kids in strollers to grandparents and all stages of life in-between.

Just before 8:30, the runners and walkers gathered in the Firefly entryway for the “Colour Toss”, where racers took individual colour packets and tossed them in the air, creating a cloud of colour. The colour coated runners and walkers then started out on the 5k (3.1mile) course. The colourful fun continued on the race course where volunteers from Hope Town and the Rotary Club of Abaco manned colour stations. Each colour station had a unique colour – Flash Caribbean Breeze Blue, Sunburnt Orange, Flamingo Pink, Bahamian Yellow, or Key Lime Green. As the participants danced their way through the colour stations they were coated head-to-toe, leaving laughter and smiles throughout the Elbow Cay course.

The Hope Town Volunteer Fire & Rescue department was on hand to lend support to the water station, where persons could rehydrate on the course. The all-volunteer fire department was a beneficiary of the event, along with the Rotary Club of Abaco.

The 242 Colour Run is designed to be a fun, feel-good event. As such, no times are recorded, and no finish places are taken down. This didn’t stop serious runners from completing the 5km course at a fast pace; nor did it stop groups of people dressed in tutus, reindeer antlers, and other funky and colourful costumes from dancing their way to the finish.

As everyone past through the event and finished, they were greeted by ice cold water donated by The FoodStore Limited. At the finish area the Firefly grounds filled with the colour-coated participants and the festivities continued. Ensueno fabric softener beach balls entertained the kids while the adults settled into the restaurant area, enjoying Bahamian breakfasts served up by the Firefly Bar & Grill. The organizers then thanked the sponsors, participants, volunteers, spectators, and all those involved for helping to create such a wonderful feel-good event.

Last, but not least, a few great prizes were drawn at random from those entered into the event. Hope Town Canvas provided a unique beach-bag made from recycled Abaco Rage sails and Harbour’s Edge provided a gift certificate for dinner. The Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend donated two entries into their events being held in March 2014. Abaco Buzz, who provided marketing for the event, also donated a months worth of their services.

The 242 Colour Run has now completed their 2013 Bahama islands tour, and is currently planning the 2014 events. The Hope Town race will tentatively return on December 27th, 2014. Other 242 Colour Runs are being planned for Nassau and Freeport. New to the 2014 schedule will be a race in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera. For more details and to learn about how to participate, visit their website www.run242.com or find them on Facebook.