28 May 2023

Multitudes of fun lovers of all ages on Saturday thronged the Serene View Gardens, near Gaborone, for a thrill of the 2023 colour run.

The event, also known as the happiest five kilometres on the planet, started in the morning and ended at midnight

It celebrated health, happiness and individuality.

The Botswana Colour Run, founded in 2015, is an untimed event and at each kilometer mark, participants who mostly wore white t-shirts, were doused from head to toe with rainbow coloured powders while sprinting, jogging or walking.

By the time they reached the finish, everyone of them was multi coloured.

Interestingly, the run is a no competitive event and is  not  about who crosses the finish line first, but about having fun along the way.

Once the race was over, the fun continued with an after-party characterised by music, photo opportunities, activity booths, stalls and more colour throws, which created vivid colour combinations and spectacle.

The fully packed gig had fun lovers treated to performance by local DJs including Nendiyo, SoulSista BW and Mpho Kgaswane Sissay.

The festival also featured international headliners Mellow and Sleazy, as well as Lady Du.

The talented South Africa’s Mellow and Sleazy have pushed against all odds to become SA’s most coveted Amapiano duo.

On the other hand, the female Amapiano star, Lady Du, who was overwhelmed by the reception gave a stellar performance and showed some love to her Batswana fans.

One reveller, Katlo Mothibi, said she enjoyed the run.

“This is an amazing experience. I really enjoyed it, especially the kids who were amused by throwing powders at each other even at those that they did not know,” she said.

Timon Koosaletse said, “As expected, the run itself is a lot of fun. I was beaming with delight the whole time and had a total blast with my friends. It’s not really a run, honestly. The pace is too slow, the course is too crowded to run continuously and besides, you want to slow down and enjoy the colour zones anyway. It’s the whole point.”

Since 2015 todate, Botswana Colour Run has donated to the Lady Khama Charity Organisation and has donated food hampers to needy families.

“Colour run impacts on the lives of people in need as we support the cause by donating to them. Besides, it promotes health and fitness for people,” said the event organiser Olebile Keegope, also known in the music circles as DJ Lunchbar. Ends