With any luck, October 16th at 9:00 a.m. will be a crisp, sunny autumn morning - when the Chevy Chase, DC and Maryland communities come together for the Greater Chevy Chase Katrina 5K. This grassroots, family-focused 5K benefits various charities supporting hurricane victims, including The American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and The National Center for Missing/Exploited Children, which is working to reunite children separated from their parents by the Katrina and Rita disasters. The event will start and finish at Lafayette Elementary School at 5701 Broad Branch Road, winding into and out of Rock Creek Park. A jazz concert and light refreshments will follow it. Information and registration information is available at www.cckatrina5k.org.

The idea and hard work behind the event came from several residents in the area. "Like everyone, we were horrified by the images and stories coming out of New Orleans," said Andrea Paterson of Chevy Chase, DC "We decided we had to act." Julie Maner, a neighbor and fellow runner/walker, shared that conviction, and together they began to organize the 5K - a daunting task, as such events usually take many months to plan. Thanks to help from the Metropolitan Police Department, the event is now ready to go on October 16.

There are several unique things about the run/walk. "First and foremost," said Maner, "we wanted any money we raised to go directly to the charities." As a consequence, race participants sign up by writing a check directly to the charity of their choice, among the seven listed on www.cckatrina5k.org. The expenses for the event itself are all donated from corporate sponsors in the area, like Taylor Real Estate, XM Satellite Radio, and Capital Source. Second, while there is a serious 5K for dedicated runners, families are also encouraged. "While we want runners, you don't have to be a runner to enjoy this event," stressed Maner. "Walkers, kids on bikes with training wheels, babies in strollers, dogs on leashes - they can do a 1K or 2K and then just enjoy the jazz band and the bagels."

As this is a pure community effort, organizers are asking people to spread the word and encourage people to register before the 16th. The entrance fee is $50/person or $60/family. Registration is also possible the day of the event, starting at 8:00 a.m.

For more information please e-mail or

call Andrea Paterson at (202)244-8591 or Julie Maner at (202) 966-5331.