Thousands took to the streets of the Saudi city of Khobar to enjoy a five-kilometer race and be showered with colorful dust all over their white shirts during the country's first ever Color Run.
The event is part of al-Sharqiyah Season, which features tens of entertainment events across the country's eastern region.
With every kilometer participants finished, they would be showered with a certain bright color. At the end of the race, the participants happily turned into human canvases.
Dubbed as the ‘Happiest 5K on the Planet”, the Color Run is an initiative founded in 2011, with the purpose of “bringing people together and making the world a happier and healthier place”, according to project's official website.
It organized 1,000 similar events in 40 countries worldwide, entertaining nearly 7 million participants, according to the website.
Organizers said 10,433 participated in the event.
Participants from all ages were dazzled by the event's festive atmosphere. Nasser al-Rakan wished it could last longer.
“I really wished that the color contest would extend to 10 km. I would continue walking on foot. I cannot describe it, it is such a fun (event), even my children enjoyed the atmosphere and the people,” he said.
Saudi Arabia said on January it expects billions of dollars to be pumped into a nascent state-backed entertainment sector and is eyeing dozens of Western acts, including an exhibition NBA basketball game and a Spanish-style running of the bulls.
The kingdom is trying to shake off its ultra-conservative image in a drive to keep tourist dollars at home, lure foreign visitors, create jobs for young Saudis, and improve the quality of life in a country where cinemas and public concerts were banned until recently.
At the launch of the 2019 entertainment calendar, Turki al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), listed dozens of events the kingdom hopes to host this year, including auto races, magic shows and theatrical performances.
REUTERS