A woman demonstrates why this event is known as the happiest run on the planet. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

The third annual Color Run attracts more than 30,000 runners in Beijing

The music is pumping, psyching up the thousands of people like 26-year-old Zhang Wenjing who are happily jumping up and down, screaming and waving their hands. For her, the most exciting part is throwing color powder into the sky, as a drone hovers overhead to capture the moment.

Scenes like these were common at Beijing's third Color Run on June 20 at the Beijing Garden Expo in Fengtai district, which attracted more than 30,000 runners.

Known as the Happiest 5K on the Planet, the untimed paint race celebrates healthiness, happiness and individuality, with more than 300 events held in over 50 countries around the world each year.

"It has become one of the regular not-to-be-missed events in Beijing," said Zhang. "I will attend it every year until I am too old to run!"