Despite an unfavourable forecast, the weather held up for the event, which officially started the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s Summerdaze programme.
The participants, which included dogs, were first doused with water by the Frankton Volunteer Fire Brigade, before heading off on the 5km course, which included crossing the historic Kawarau Falls bridge, and running under the road bridge, along the way getting colour bombed at five different stations.
Sport Central community sports adviser Kelvin Carruthers said it was "an absolutely great day".
"It’s just about bringing the community together and having a bit of fun, and we sure did that," Mr Carruthers said.
"There are many families that can’t afford the basics of a sporting experience — it might be the membership, or a crucial piece of equipment that you need to play a particular sport — and I think it’s becoming more and more important that we support people into sport, in general, but also just people that maybe can’t afford it.
"We need to help them out so everyone gets the same opportunities," Mr Carruthers said.
Other events scheduled as part of Summerdaze include waterfront games and a pop-up library, next being held at the Queenstown Gardens rotunda between 11am and 1pm this Friday, and a Teddy Bears Picnic at the Queenstown Events Centre on January 28 and the Wanaka Recreation Centre on January 29.
