Colours of Hope 5K a fun workout in Lee Park

Lee Park was full of colourful people Saturday morning. They were running, jogging and walking in a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society. In its third year, Colours of Hope 5K drew many people eager to help while having fun exercising.

Lee Park was full of colourful people Saturday morning. They were running, jogging and walking in a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society.

In its third year, Colours of Hope 5K drew many people eager to help while having fun exercising.

The fun factor had participants doused in powdered colours.

As the runners and walkers approached a refreshment station set up every kilometer, volunteers splashed them with colour. With the last of six stations, participants were as colourful as a rainbow.

The rainbow represents the hope and renewal after a hard rain.

Before they marathoners got started they were guided through a warm-up session by Lynette O'Donnell of the YMCA.

One of the organizers, a fundraising assistant with the Canadian Cancer Society Nancy Mitchell, was very pleased with the number of participants this year. “I think we are at 350 registrants. We signed up 30 people just this morning.”

Mitchell says all the stations and refreshments were sponsored by local businesses. “Our costs are down this year, so we should top the goal of $20-thousand dollars.” Mitchell explained the money raised stays local to help assist cancer patients.

Canadian Cancer Society Volunteer Coordinator Debbie Marson says about 60 volunteers worked the event to make it fun and effective.