We can’t wait for The Color Run in Brighton later this month. Known as the ‘Happiest 5k on the Planet’, it’s the third of three Color Runs this summer, all celebrating healthiness, happiness and individuality. And to keep that happiness going, the run’s organisers have recommended five of England’s best 5k routes along the beach.

©The Color Run UKThe Color Run Brighton 2016©The Colour Run UK

Brighton Pier, East Sussex

Start anywhere along Madeira Drive and head south towards SEA LIFE, then turn left towards the pier. Run to the end of the pier and back and go left towards the bandstand at the end of the beach. To make your run a full 5K, head back to SEA LIFE. This is also the route of this year’s Color Run. Fistral Beach, Cornwall©chris148/thinkstock

Fistral Beach, Cornwall

Just around the corner from Newquay, Fistral Beach is hugely popular with surfers as well as holidaymakers. The beach is actually just short of 4.8km, so if you want to make your run a little longer, start in Newquay, heading north towards Fistral and then onto Pentire. Combine your run with a surf lesson to make the most of your weekend.Sandbanks, Dorset© markroper/thinkstock  

Bournemouth to Boscombe/Sandbanks, Dorset

Bournemouth has seven miles of sandy coastline but for a 5K run, start at the pier and head north until you reach Boscombe then head back to the pier. For something slightly more challenging, head south until you hit the small peninsula of Sandbanks, home to one of the most beautiful beaches on the South Coast. This is closer to 15km in distance, but Bournemouth and Sandbanks both have plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants so you can refuel after your run. Steep Holm, Bristol Channel©Jon Le-bon/thinkstock  

Brean Down, Somerset

The Brean peninsula, between Burnham-on-Sea and Weston-super-Mare, is just under 2.5km each way and offers spectacular views of the Bristol Channel towards the island of Steep Holm (above) and across to South Wales. For a longer run, start at Brean town centre and go north towards the headland and around Brean Down. Head back south towards Brean town centre to rack up 11km.Camber Sands, East Sussex

Camber Sands, East Sussex

Start at Camber Sands Holiday Park above the beach and head south along Lydd Road. Once you get to the end of the beach turn around and head back. For more of a challenge, try running on the sand on the way back – it forces your body to work harder, which in turn creates a greater resistance training workout.  

The Color Run Brighton is on Sunday 23 September, starting at 11am or 4pm. Tickets cost from £26 per person. 

BY MAGGIE O’SULLIVAN