Colour run 'poses no danger' to lake area

The Swisse Color Run will be held for the first time in Canberra in February next year, when entrants will run a five-kilometre circuit and have coloured powder thrown on them.

Since the first event in the US last year, the event has rapidly grown and been held in cities all over the world, including Melbourne and Sydney.

The Canberra course will go along Parkes Way, finishing at Stage 88 in Commonwealth Park, where participants will gather for the ''Finish Festival'', where they will throw more coloured powder into the air and at each other.

Despite the powder being a natural product, it does take time to disappear completely.

Previous runs have left large amounts of powder on concrete and grass fields, which requires special attention.

''We were very careful in developing the course,'' Graeme Hannan, the run's managing director, said. ''We've been working closely with the NCA [National Capital Authority], we have made sure we're away from the lake and Robert Menzies Walk.

''We've also positioned colour zones in areas that aren't going to impact the lake or walk.''

Coloured powder packets are made of 100 per cent natural and safe food-grade corn starch, which will leave temporary stains on runners' clothes and hair and parts of the course.

''The colour is gone about two hours after we're done,'' Mr Hannan said. ''We've got a combination of volunteer sweepers, road sweepers and high-pressure cleaning machines that clean after the event. You wouldn't even notice it was there.''

The run caters for participants of all ages and fitness levels and is not a timed event. It involves individuals or teams running the course at leisure, having the powder thrown on them as they move through checkpoints.

Mr Hannan said about 2500 people had already registered.

''There's been a lot of demand to come to Canberra on our Facebook page,'' he said.

■ Applications for the run, held on February 16, are open. Individuals or groups can register at theswissecolorrun.com.au.