NATCHEZ — A little rain was not going to give downtown Natchez the blues — participants in Saturday’s color run took care of that themselves.

Not just blue, but all assortments of vibrant colors wafted all around and filled runners’ clothes at the third-annual Color Natchez 5k.

With all proceeds going toward local causes, a few hundred people registered for the color run, sponsored by the Natchez Young Professionals and The Markets.

“We are very happy with the turnout we had, even though the weather (looked bad),” said Sarah Lindsey Laukhuff, director of marketing for the event.

Scheduled to start at 10 a.m., the race experienced a two-hour delay after heavy rain began after 8 a.m. Saturday morning.

Though gray skies remained, volunteers began flinging neon shades of blue, yellow, pink and green at runners when the race officially kicked off at noon.

“Everybody was so gracious about it being a little late,” organizer Haley Meng said.

As participants made their way through downtown, the runners separated themselves from the crowd. The first one to circle around and cross the finish line at Broadway Street was Brennan Remington, who received his medal and then immediately grabbed some more color to douse other runners with as they completed the race.

Afterward, Charlotte Beard finished as the first adult female to complete the race, and she relished in the fact that she crossed the line before her daughter, Tali.

“She said she wanted to race me,” Charlotte Beard said. “I said, ‘OK!’”

Her daughter retorted with a smile.

“I’ve beaten her before; don’t let her tell you (I haven’t),” Tali Beard said.

But her mother would have the bragging rights this day, as Charlotte Beard said she finished with a personal best for a 5k at 25:39.

After all participants finished the 5k, organizers had one last “explosion” of color, where everyone gathered in the grass off Broadway Street to have the remaining powder shower over them.

Despite a tired crowd — some from running and others from working tirelessly to set up the event — participants and volunteers alike were all smiles after the event.

“We’re just thankful for the citizens that come out and do this every year,” Meng said. “We couldn’t do this without Natchez participating.”

Proceeds from the color run will go toward the Natchez Stewpot Ministry and the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

The event garnered more than 400 participants this year, exceeding last year’s total, and total money amount raised this year won’t be available until later in the week.