A little bit of colour to add to a big day in Torbay for Active Farmers Games

Participants in this year’s Active Colour Games will be tackling a whole host of new obstacles when they travel to take on the course in the rolling Torbay hills this weekend.

The popular event is returning for its third year and will include a colour run in the morning to make Sunday a more family-friendly and inclusive atmosphere.

Organiser Boyd Rae said the City of Albany had approached him to add a colour run to the event’s schedule in the morning.

“It’s about making it a bit more fun for those that don’t want to be as competitive, so we’ll effectively have two events in the one day” he said.

“In the morning it will be the colour run, which is family-friendly from six years old plus and you can go around in groups of two, or three, or by yourself and just have a bit of fun.

“You’ll get a free T-shirt with registration and you’ll get covered in slime as you go around.”

The colour run will take place from 9am and participants will be invited to tackle the 32 obstacles on the 1.3km course more than once while volunteers throw colour all over them.

Following a lunch break, things will get slightly more competitive in the afternoon for the Active Farmers Games portion of the event.

Participants in the afternoon’s timed event will take part with a partner to tackle the whole course, plus an additional element crossing the dam.

“There are a few new obstacles, and one you definitely need a partner for because it’s a big A-frame where you need one person on each side to shuffle across,” Mr Rae said.

“On another one, you’ll need to go up the back of the dam bank on slippery plastic, then there a little warped wall that I’ve built, and another big slide into a hay bail.

“Over the dam, we’ve changed from having a zip line into a big wobbly bridge with obstacles on it, which may include the local fire brigade shooting water at you.”

Prizes will be on offer for the best times in the men’s, women’s and mixed division.

They will also be awarded to the best dressed and those that register the most consistent times across three laps.

This year competitors will also be offered the opportunity to take a break between laps to catch their breath and strategise.

“I thought it was a shame previously when people came along they did a lap and then that was it,” Mr Rae said.

“Half an hour later they then might be feeling pretty good and want to have another go, well this year you can.

“You can do a lap, wait 20 minutes, watch some tactics, eat an ice cream and whatever else, then line up again and try to beat your own time.”

Registration costs $35 per person for either event, or $50 for the full day.