The first annual Portage the Prairies Dirt Dash not only left many muddy participants smiling, but organizers too.

Portage Community Revitalization Corporation (PCRC) executive director Val Garlick shared the event report from the dash -- which was held in September at Republic Park -- during committee at Monday night's Portage City Council meeting.

According to the report, the event posted a net profit of $7,826. Garlick says the funds will go into the PCRC operating budget, and helped ensure the organization did not post a deficit this year. The organization receives funding through the province's Neighbourhoods Alive program and the City of Portage la Prairie, but there was still a projected shortfall this year.

"When we put our budget together in the spring it did have a deficit, because the reality was we didn't have the income to meet our expenses," Garlick says. "This is going to go a long way to avoiding that deficit position this year, which makes us thrilled."

Garlick adds they were incredibly pleased with the outcome of the Dash, which attracted about 150 participants. She notes there was a lot of positive feedback from the community abo

Val Garlickut the Dirt Dash, which bodes well for the event's future.

"That is our plan, to have a second annual event (next year)," Garlick says. "It was a big event, we learned a lot as an organization and as a group putting it on."

"...Lots of people said 'I couldn't be there, but I want to try that next year'"," Garlick continues. "So we're going to make sure there's another opportunity for our community to participate."