It was a chilly October morning (Oct. 25) when the 500 runners and walkers left the starting line for the first Amy's Run 5K in Crofton, Maryland and helped raise $20,000 for the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation.

The course started in front of the Crofton Country Club and toured through the town of Crofton, located about 15 miles west of Annapolis. The relatively flat course, on what the locals call the "Parkway," mixed in a few rolling hills and a fast finish, allowing men's winner Ted Poulos of McLean, VA, to come in at 16:55. Crofton resident Brian Daugherty followed with a time of 17:08.

Another Crofton resident, Jennifer Garman (photo above), enjoyed the home course advantage, becoming the first woman to cross the line in 20:20. May Wedlund of Annapolis was just steps behind Garman, finishing in 20:23. Cheering for every finisher were the rousing Redskin cheerleaders, Louie, the Bowie Bay Sox mascot, and many supporters.

Soon after the adults took off, a mass of more than 40 kids sprinted in the opposite direction in a .1 mile Kids Fun Run. All participants, who ranged in age from 5 to 11, received a ribbon and were eligible for a drawing for some fun prizes like free pizza, mini golf, and signed Redskin magnets.

Amy Danielle Schiller, the inspiration for the race, was a sweet, intelligent, fun-loving girl who lost her battle with brain cancer on September 11, 1999, a month shy of her third birthday. In an effort to put an end to this terrible disease, her family and friends created this race to raise money for the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation. All proceeds from the race benefited the Foundation, whose mission is to raise funds for scientific research, to heighten public awareness of this devastating disease, and to improve the prognosis and quality of life for those who are affected.

Although the honorary chairman, former Redskin quarterback and Super Bowl XXVI MVP, Mark Rypien, was unable to attend, he was a strong supporter of the race. Rypien's son, Andrew, also died of a brain tumor.

After the race, runners and walkers stayed for the awards ceremony and some great prizes. Poulos, the men's winner, won a luxury suite for the 2004 Bowie Bay Sox baseball season. Garman won a two-night stay in a deluxe room at the Avenue Inn & Spa at Rehoboth Beach. But you didn't have to be the first across the finish line to receive one of the more than 50 prizes from local vendors and supporters, including a cruise on the Dandy, Baltimore Raven football tickets, Washington Capitals tickets and a signed jersey, discounts from Southwest Airlines, a quilt from Zuzu from the movie It's a Wonderful Life, and gift certificates to local restaurants including the Sly Horse Tavern, Applebee's, and Glory Days Grill.

For more information on Amy's Run, see the race Web site.

See complete results of the first annual Amy's Run 5K. Type "Amy's Run" in the search box.