Bath Color Obstacle Rush

My “Hulk” impression

When I was organising my trip to the UK a few weeks ago (I’m not great at planning too far ahead!) I was asked if I wanted to fill a vacant spot on a friends team for the Bath leg of the Color Obstacle Rush. Given that I’ve always wanted to do a Colour Run this seemed like the next best thing. We were treated to an absolutely glorious day despite the surrounding threat of rain which never really materialised.

The run itself was, well, not quite what I expected. Though I don’t know what I was expecting in the first place if that makes sense? Before you began you were taken through a dance orientated warm up. I did my best at following but I’m not the best-coordinated person in the world when it comes to dancing. Still, it got most of the runners in the mood for the run ahead and was quite fun to do.

The 5k course consisted of paint areas where a group of people flung paint in your general direction and obstacle areas. Sometimes the two were the same and other times they were completely separate. Some obstacles were fun (essentially any of the bouncy ones) and some were just awkward. Then once you slid down the slide to the finish you collected your medal. Finally, you’d make your way back to the stage for your groups own colour festival.

For us, this meant going through two more warmup dance routines before we were all encouraged to hunker down and bounce until the beat dropped. At this point, everyone in the group throws the paint bags we’d been given at the finish into the air. My friends and I deliberately placed ourselves downwind so that we got the maximum hit from the dust cloud that ensued. I honestly couldn’t see anything but colour for a few seconds but it was worth it.

Overall the event was fun if not quite obstacle orientated as I thought it might be. I’d certainly do one again but perhaps go slightly better prepped for sorting myself after I’ve finished.