The popular Color Run event launches in Rome this year, taking place at the Villa Pamphilj park on the afternoon of Saturday 5 October.

The Color Run Village opens that morning at 10.00 at Villa Pamphili and the 5-km race kicks off at 15.30.

Also known as the "Happiest 5k on the Planet", the un-timed race involves all participants getting doused in coloured powder during the run, with different colours for each of the five kilometres, and a gigantic celebration of colour at the finish line.

There are just two simple rules: wear white at the starting line, and finish plastered in colour.

Since its launch in Arizona last year the run now takes place at destinations across the US, South America, Australia, Asia and Europe.

The for-profit company says it has grown from over 50 events and 600,000 participants in 2012 to over 100 events and more than a million participants this year.

For full details of the Rome race, including registration costs, see the Color Run website.