SOUTH PORTLAND – South Portland officials say Sunday’s “Color Run,” which brought 5,000 runners to the city’s east end in a fundraiser for the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, was such a hit, they’re ready planning to repeat the event next year.

“I was there for several hours and all I saw was smiling faces and happy people,” said Mayor Tom Blake. “That in itself indicates success.”

City Manager Jim Gailey, one of 20 city employees to participate in the event, said there were “some first year jitters,” particularly with getting traffic into the area. Some people parked as far away as Mahoney Middle School, 1.5 miles from the starting line at Southern Maine Community College. Gailey said he parked in the Willard Beach parking lot, only half full at the time, and saw “plenty” of available spaces in the SMCC parking lots.

“If you knew the area, and where to go, you where OK,” said Gailey. “The problem was people from away who only knew Broadway.”

Some options include shuttle services and publicizing alternate travel routes.

Gailey said Color Run crews “did a tremendous job” cleaning up. The city should get a report from the organizers in the next few weeks breaking down the event, including how much money was raised for the children’s hospital.

Gailey praised for residents of the area, who “showed great patience” even though their normal routines may have been disrupted. Blake said he “got two or three complaints,” but added, “That’s to be expected with an event of this magnitude.”

A City Council workshop has been scheduled for this fall to look at how South Portland can best respond to the high number of road races, special events and community block parties in the city.

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