THEY were pounded with paint as they ran but the madcap efforts of runners raised around £5,000 for charity.

More than 600 runners took part in the third annual Colour 5K at Ardleigh Showground for Headway Essex.

They were showered with a different colour paint after each kilometre, meaning by the end everyone was a multicoloured masterpiece.

To top it all off, a colour extravaganza at the end gave everyone involved the chance to throw colour at friends, family and anyone who wanted to join in the fun.

Anna Smith, community fundraising manager, said: “We are thrilled with how the day went and with how many people came along to support Headway Essex, we hope that next year’s event will be bigger and better.”

Sponsorship money is still flooding in.

A proportion of the registration fee and all sponsorship money goes directly to the charity to help provide rehabilitation and support for brain injury survivors and their families and carers.

Headway Essex thanked Boot Group for once again donating Ardleigh Showground for the event as well as Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree, for sponsoring it.

If you are interested in joining in with next year’s Colour 5K, visit headwayessex.org.uk to register your interest.

Headway Essex’s next fun run is the Onesie Runsie which will be held in Castle Park on Sunday, October 18.

Sign up at headwayessex.org.uk or call 01206 547616.

See today's Gazette for two pages of pictures.