The Color Run prepares to colour Cape Town in October

After touring four continents, The Color Run exploded onto the South African family fun-run scene with a sold-out Spring Day race in Port Elizabeth. Ten thousand Friendly City residents turned up on race day, dressed in white, eager to be part of a global phenomenon that over a million people worldwide have already experienced.

And come Saturday, 19 October, Capetonians will have the chance to find out what all the fun is about, as they get their turn to colour their world.

Internationally renowned as a fun, family-friendly race, The Color Run celebrates healthiness, happiness, individuality and giving back, as it brings Capetonians together to create a five-kilometre-long canvas of colour.

The idea is to arrive at the starting line wearing something white - anything from white T-shirts to white tutus - and when the start gun fires, the festival of colour begins. Each kilometre of the event is associated with a colour: yellow, red, blue and green. In each colour zone, volunteers shower participants with clouds of brightly coloured powder. The race ends with a colour-throwing party where Color Runners and spectators get to make the world a brighter place.

But don't let the term "Color Runners" stop you from entering. Even those who'd ordinarily choose the Cableway up the mountain over hiking up can participate with ease. The Color Run is non-timed, so it's all about having fun, not about flaunting your fitness. In fact, 60% of Color Runners are first-time runners, participating for the sheer joy of doing something unique, healthy and fun with family and friends.

So run, jog, walk, rollerblade, get pushed in a pram ... anything goes at The Color Run. There's only one rule: have the most colourful fun of your life. After all, it's not called "the Happiest 5k on the Planet" for nothing.

Some might suspect that another equally apt name might also be "the messiest 5k", but you needn't worry about going to work on Monday morning with hair like Nicki Minaj. The Color Run powder washes off easily from hair and skin, and with a bit of Omo power, it also comes out of clothes (just don't wear your best dress shirt). Being food grade, coloured cornstarch, the powder is also 100% non-toxic, making it safe for your family and for the environment.

Once the fun's all over, air-blowing cleaning stations will spruce up the Color Runners, while an environmental cleaning specialist will remove all coloured-powder sachets and wash away any stray colour from the Sea Point Promenade.

Fortunately though, there's a lot that stays behind after The Color Run, even after the cleaners have passed through ... and not just great memories and technicolour photos. The Color Run has always been about giving back. Despite being a global initiative, The Color Run sources and supports local suppliers for each event. The Color Run Cape Town will also be donating part of the proceeds of the race to the University of Cape Town's SHAWCO education and health initiatives.

Entries are already open for The Color Run 5k event in Cape Town, so enter now at www.thecolorrun.co.za before the race sells out - the race in Amsterdam sold out this year in a mere 18 minutes!

To find out more about The Color Run 5k event, click here or visit www.thecolorrun.co.za, or stay tuned to Heart 104.9fm, The Color Run Cape Town's media partner.