Nearly five hundred men and women gathered in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol this morning, not to protest, not to lobby, not to evacuate. Husbands joined their wives, mothers their daughters, brothers, brothers and friends, friends. They were all there to run and race, nothing more. And on a sparkling fall morning, that was enough.

It was a good city course, too. That means gritty, full of traffic, potholes, construction, and early-rising tourists surprised to see that so many had beaten them to the worm. The course started up Third Street, NW, wound west toward the U.S. Treasury and doubled back to finish on the Mall near the National Gallery of Art. Fair and reasonably flat, although some runners (Shivani) took issue with even the slight elevation changes.

The leading men (they like to be called that) went through the opening mile in just over five minutes, but slowed in the latter stages of the race while dodging traffic, pedestrians, and outgoing runners. No matter, as no records were set and all adhered to the "only a workout" line afterward.

I was first (hey, it's been a busy day) but in a none-too- impressive 16 minutes 3 seconds. Chris Farley (25) from Arlington, was second in 16:20, and Pascal Brazey (32), a Washingtonian by way of France, took third in 16:25. Farley's brother and roommate, Brian, 27, was eighth in 17:52. The Farleys will be running the New York City Marathon on November 4.

"This was our final tuneup," Chris Farley said. "I think at this point we're as ready as we're going to be." The brothers Farley hope to run 2:33 and 2:45, respectively, in New York.

Kristin Milot, all of 15, won the women's (girl's?) race in 19:38. She led from the start and beat Evance Stalley (26), yet another French citizen in town from Charlottesville, who finished second in 19:59. Tiffany Davis (24) from Washington was third in 20:15.

Milot is a sophomore at Haymarket (VA) High and ran 5:20 for the mile as a freshman. But she is without a lot of roadracing experience, as evidenced by her tights, shorts, and two T- shirts.

"I don't like to be cold," Milot explained. She runs with her mother, Mandy Milot (42), on the weekends. The younger Milot cheered the elder at the finish, where Mom registered a more- than-respectable 16th place in 24:03.

"I used to run when I was her age, and just started again," Mandy explained. "But I can't keep up with her in a race."

The race brought out more than just family ties. Environmental Protection Agency pals Shivani Desai and Tia Green banged out 10- minute miles, saving enough energy for wide smiles at the finish of their annual road racing effort. Green's husband, Gregory, a Department of Treasury kind of guy, also ran.

"We picked up trash the whole way," quipped Tia, alluding to her environmentally correct career position. She and Desai run around (so to speak) at the Tidal Basin at 6:15 most weekday mornings--be sure to say hello next time you're up that early. (As if.)

The rest of the crowd was more of the same--normal, decent folks out for some exercise and in search of a good day. Of course, the race beneficiary was notable: proceeds supported minority marrow and blood stem cell donor education, recruitment, and awareness events in Washington and across the country.

Fox 5 sportscaster Dave Feldman emceed the event. And to prove that he's not just another pretty face on TV, Feldman ran as well. After enjoying fruit, bagels, and iced tea, as well as complimentary caricatures drawn by local artists at the awards ceremony, the men and women in front of the Capitol peaceably dispersed and contentedly headed home. An altogether quotidian crowd that, by the very dint of its unremarkability, left a positive mark in today's all too remarkable world.

For complete results of the 3M 5K: Racing to Save Lives, see the Washington Running Report Race Results section.