Bubble Run 2016 Okinawa invites participants to foamy fun

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The first Okinawa Bubble Run expects 6,000 people for the 2-km course and after party.

Bubble run’s website describes taking part in a bubble run is “like running through Willy Wonka’s factory.” It is a 2-km running event where participants will be doused in foam as they proceed through the course with a bubble-themed dance party with more foam waiting after the finish line.

The run starts and ends at Toyosaki Chura-Sun Beach on Mar. 12th. Tickets are no sale through Mar. 5.

The first Bubble Run in Japan was organized at Makuhari Kaihin (Seaside) Park in Chiba Prefecture in April last year, and the first run on Okinawa will take place Mar. 12. Organizers are now accepting registrations on line。

The Bubble Run is not a race. Organizers stress that there’s nothing competitive about the event. Instead, participants enjoy running, walking and dancing with friends and families through the two-kilometer course. There’s no time counting so people can run or walk at their own pace chatting away with friends, and get showered with colorful bubbles every so often. There’s of course a photo shooting area for those essential memories and conversation pieces afterwards.

More foam is added as the course proceeds.

After the run, an open-air bubble party will take place on the beach with local popular artists performing on stage. And naturally, receive more bubbles from the DJs. Food and drink stalls complete the after-run party setup.

Entertainers on stage include Kiiyama Shoten, a popular band from Ishigaki Island, and I-VAN, who’s one of the top dancers in Japan. He’s from Okinawa, and the first Asian person to win in the World Reggae Dance Championship hosted by the Government of Jamaica in 2012. Other entertainers are JaaBourBonz, Yuri Kakazu and DJs Ayah and TASK.

The first Okinawa Bubble Run takes place on Saturday, Mar. 12th, rain-or-shine. The venue at Toyosaki Chura Sun Beach opens at 12:20 with the first wave of runners starting at 14:00 followed by others every 10 minutes. The stage events begin at 14:30.

The number of participants is limited to 6,000 people. Those who are under 18 years of age need a guardian or a written agreement from a guardian. Tickets are ¥5,500 and on sale through Mar, 5th. Groups of five or more get a group discount and pay ¥5,200 per person. The fee includes an event t-shirt.