RUNNERS are being asked to get pounded with paint while plodding their way roubnd a 5km run.

Headway Essex is bringing back its popular fundraising run, the Colour 5K, on June 27.

Last year's successful event at the Ardleigh Showground raised nearly £5,000 and the format will be the same this year.

“Colour bandits” will shower runners along the course with powdered paint as they run or walk through different colour zones.

This year’s event is sponsored by Perrywood Garden Centre. in Tiptree and the Boot Group, which owns the field.

Community fundraising manager Anna Smith said: “It’s one of the craziest fun runs you will ever experience and great to do with friends, family or colleagues.

“The aim is to have a good time.

You can run, walk or stroll at your pace – speed is not a priority, but colour is.”

At the finishing line there participants get to throw colour at friends, relatives and anyone else who wants to join in the fun for a seriously messy and colourful finale.

Part of the registration fee, plus sponsorship money from participants goes to Headway Essex to help with rehabilitation and support for brain injury survivors, their families and carers.

To sign up online, visit colour5k.co.uk or simply turn up and register from 10am on the day for the noon race.