A RAINBOW of colour covered thousands of competitors taking part in the Color Run at the Birmingham NEC.

The family-friendly event, saw children and adults of all ages run, jog, dance or walk the 5km course.

Advertiser reporter Liz Sharpe joined in with the fun at the event billed as the happiest 5k on the planet.

Despite rain threatening to spoil the event, the sun came out and it remained vastly dry for the race.

Excited runners assembled inside the NEC, for a warm up and entertainment, they also enjoy 'tasting the rainbow' at the Skittles tent.

Competitors start the day in a white t-shirt and are pelted from head-to-toe in a different colour at each kilometre of the course before the finale frenzy where everyone embraces their inner rainbow.

The aim is to get a colourful as possible and on crossing the finish line I felt content- I was sporting a red and pink face and a blue arm that would make the Smurfs proud, but I was about to get even messier as the fun doesn’t end there.

A party with a Capital FM DJ and entertainers continued into the afternoon.

Free t-shirts, jackets, shorts, skittles, wristbands and of course lots more paint were throw into the audience as crowds danced along.

Now considered the single largest event series in the world, hosting events in more than 200 cities and 40 countries every year, The Color Run was founded in Utah in 2011- hence its America spelling.

The event took place on Saturday, August 20.

The official charity partner for The Color Run 2016 is the NSPCC and runners are encouraged to raise £100 for the charity.

Last year’s Color Run participants raised £24,139 in Birmingham alone. The next Color Run is taking place in London on September 4.

For more information visit thecolorrun.co.uk.