Billed as the “Happiest 5K on the Planet,” Columbia’s first Color Run had no winners or official times AND involved paint. Saturday’s runners through downtown wore white and by the end of the race were covered with a rainbow of colors as fellow runners and supporters tossed dyed cornstarch onto them as encouragement.

The Color Run, the single largest 5K event series in the nation, promotes healthiness, happiness and individuality. It debuted last year and was held in more than 50 cities, attracted more than 600,000 participants and raised donations for more than 60 local and national charities. Benefiting from Columbia’s run were the Historic Columbia Foundation and Girls on the Run.