Run or Dye

Abi

“Saturday morning I woke up to what I can only describe as dread. It was the morning of Run or Dye and I remembered how little effort I had put in, in terms of training. I thought of a hundred excuses as to why I couldn’t do it, but none stuck.

I dragged myself out of bed and made my way to the Excel centre. Kitted out in Nike from head to toe, as you do when you are a pro runner (or fake in my case). What an amazing scene when I finally got to the race hub site. Thousands of men, women and children decked out in Run or Dye T-shirts with clouds of colourful dye in every direction.

Registration was easy enough, you have to sign your waiver online and print a ticket, which made collecting your numbers really easy. The only downfall is that only one station was set aside for the colour packs and T-shirt collection. It was like fighting for your life getting your free pack of colour dye.

Once all was collected it was time to run after throwing wads of colours powder around like a jovial 10 year old, it was fab! My friends and I danced to the awesome tunes played by the American DJ, which got me going and helped me to forget the fact that I was going to run 5k without training.

Run!!!!! That’s the last thing I heard as I legged it from the start line. That lasted for all of 3 minutes before I decided I hated running. Instead I took a leisurely stroll as I was passed by elderly women and children, oh the joy. I had an amazing time, the atmosphere, the people, the vibes were electric.”

 

Aspen

“Let me just clarify Abi’s leisurely stroll was a mixture of sprinting and walking! There was no jogging going on with this girl! The ONIN dream team of Bee, Monica and I just looked on in awe.

After a wee bit of a late one the night before, a gentle jog was pretty much all I could muster, however it was the best gentle jog EVER! Literally a fog of paint powder enveloped the Excel Centre, and every so often someone would just pelt you with purple or you would make a ‘paint angel’ in green.

After the finish line there was dancing and merriment, with children, powdery dogs, the lot. It was the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning!

I have to admit my friends got a bit of a shock when I met them for lunch………….”

 

Monica

The morning of Run or Dye  was a rush of excitement and a blur of colour with 5000 people descending upon Londons Excel Centre. Registration and pack collection was like the final trading scene from the Eddie Murphy and Dan Ackroyd film, Trading Places, arms waving people, frantic but smiling; we couldnt wait to get started.

My team mates and I remembered quite quickly and with alarming accuracy what is what like to be five years old by chasing each other and covering ourselves in the supplied dye.  That was it….we were prepared.  The race went off in two waves, we were part of the second 10.30am wave.

Abi had declared that she would be walking all the way but once we set off the reality was a little different lol.  I support Aspen and act as an eye witness to the running and POWER WALKING combo adopted by our editor and chief Abi lol and I salute Aspen my pace master on the day.  The day was a wonderful mix of laughter, colour and gyrations to the beats being delivered by our resident DJ.

This event is a definite addition to your annual events calendar whether a serious runner or just a serial events attendee…guaranteed fun and frolics