RUNNERS were treated to a spectacle of colour as they raised money for a good cause at Weldmar Hospicecare Trust’s first ever Colour Run.

Around 1,100 runners took part in the 2.5 mile run around Lodmoor Country Park today, Saturday April 18, raising £60,000 for the charity.

The idea of colour running came over from the United States, and sees runners start off wearing white t-shirts before running the course.

There were four colour stations along the route manned by staff from the events sponsors, who then covered the Weldmar runners in luminous paint.

All those finishing the race were a riot of luminous colour and were then treated to a mass colour throw.

Kelly Borthwick, 31, was the first woman over the finish line and completed the Colour Run in approximately 18 minutes.

Kelly, who works as a nurse at Dorset County Hospital, said she had raised £100 so far and also completed in the Weymouth Half Marathon in March.

She added: “It felt absolutely brilliant to be the first woman over the finishing line. The colour paint element of the run definitely made it more fun, and it was great that children could take part too.

“Weldmar is a very worthwhile cause and the Colour Run is something I would love to do again next year.”

Mark Thomson, 51, who completed the run with his wife Jo and 15-year-old daughter Amy, said finishing the run was a real family effort.

He said: “My wife works at the Dorchester Wellness Centre so she knows all about Weldmar’s work and that it is such a good cause.

“We all finished the run in about 30 minutes and I’m glad we could take part as a family.

Wendy Bainbridge, 71, 53-year-old Charlotte Sharp and Sara Clarke, 56, took part in the run as a trio and said supporting Weldmar was a cause close to all of their hearts.

Charlotte said: “My mum died from cancer; we have done Race for Life and this event was an extension of our fundraising.

“We were blessed with good weather and we’ve had so much fun we want to do it next year.”

The run started at 11am and the mass colour throw took place at 11.55am.

But the fun doesn’t stop there, as an entire afternoon of fun and entertainment will be on offer until 4pm today.

There is a stage with local bands Hustle, Vanilla Radio and Shooter all performing, as well as food outlets and a bar.

Event organiser Matt Smith said he wanted to thank all those who took part in the run, and said the event was welcomed with a ‘really fun atmosphere’.

He added: “Everyone had fun; it was great to see people starting the race in white t-shirts and finishing covered in luminous paint.

“Our sponsors have made sure they have covered the cost of the event, so every single person that took part in the run can know every penny of their money raised goes directly to Weldmar – which is fantastic.

“Next year, we want to hold three or four different colour runs throughout the year and our aim is to get 4,000 people taking part in those.”