The smiles were plentiful as participants enjoyed running through clouds of colored powder during the Third Annual Run IN Color Saturday, Aug. 22, at Windjammer Park.

As the runners jogged the 5K course, they were showered with puffs of colored powder at several stations along the course, giving their once white T-shirts a tie-dyed vibe.

This light-hearted event, sponsored by Rue and Primavera Occupational, Physical and Hand Therapy, was spawned from tragedy.

Race director Wendy Rue wanted to “calm her anger” after the devastation of the bombing at the Boston Marathon in 2013.

She was particularly touched by the dancer who lost her leg.

“As a physical therapist and a dancer, I wanted somehow to help her dance again,” Rue said. “Fighting back terrorism with an explosion of color seemed poetic.”

Proceeds from the first Run IN Color went to Citizens Against Domestic Violence. Last summer the race raised money for the Wounded Warrior Project.

Saturday’s proceeds will go to the Soroptimists’ Dream It; Be It campaign, an eight-week program for at-risk girls 14-17. The program helps with career goals, career support and mentorship, according to Rue.

“We really wanted the money to stay in our community and, hopefully, be seed money for a lasting program that can really make a difference,” Rue said. “I am a Soroptimist, and I know how dedicated the women in this club are to the mission to improve the lives of women and girls.”

Saturday’s event, which included a kids’ run as well as the 5K, attracted 181 participants.

“I think it was a big success,” Rue said.

Rue said colleagues Jayme Gilliam, Shelby O’Connor and Diana Vinci, as well as many members of Soroptimist, led a long list of volunteers.

“I can’t leave out Curtis Vieke, who always sets up the course and keeps me calm,” Rue said.

(Left, Marri Leddusire gets showered with a bucketful of orange powder Saturday. Photo by Jim Waller.)