How did the area running community manage to ramp up from a mere idea into a 5K race with all the bells and whistles of a major event in Old Town Alexandria in less than three weeks? Easy-- just sign on a couple of area and national celebrities, right?

Democratic political pundit James Carville, the moving force and primary name behind the Gulf Coast Relief 5K Run answered in the negative. "It was Katrina that brought all these people out here," he said in his inimitable Louisiana drawl. "People wanted to help all those hurt by Katrina."

Help they did, in an unprecedented display of cooperation and selflessness. Pacers Running Store in Old Town coordinated the effort that relied on the expertise of an entire spectrum of administrators and politicians who handled logistics and fast- tracked the city's Byzantine and parochial permit process. But it was the runners who responded in the most overwhelming manner- -3,279 finished the race on Saturday morning, raising close to $100,000 for the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund.

While the start of the race was delayed 15 minutes due to the crush of on-site registration, participants displayed astounding patience, happily accepting the promise of a T-shirt and carrying their bib numbers without complaint when the supply of safety pins became exhausted. Neighbors adversely impacted by closed intersections and an impending sea of runners watched serenely, unperturbed while they waited to reclaim what had been a quiet Old Town morning. It was clear, something good was happening. Finally, the Washington Post's Tony Kornheiser issued the command to start and the throng took off down Union Street.

Not surprisingly, ubiquitous roadracer Michael Wardian (31), who competes for Pacers, took the lead by one mile and ran unchallenged the rest of the way, winning in 15 minutes 48 seconds. Frank Sprtel (32), from Takoma Park, MD was second in 16:23 and Rich Pica (22), from Fort Washington, MD took third in 16:43.

Last year's Marine Corps Marathon winner, Mary Kate Bailey (30), from Arlington, VA won the women's race handily in 17:26, besting Genevieve Kiley (30), from Arlington, VA and the Washington Running Club, in 17:57. Dawn Cromer (25), from Charlottesville, VA was third in 18:04.

But the masses better told the story: along a packed course and winding through the city streets, families ran together, many pushing strollers, others with kids and pets in tow. T-shirts reflected the spirit of the event, with Cajun themes prominent. Some 50 kids from the athletic teams at St. Stephens and St. Agnes School in Alexandria participated and cheered wildly for their teacher and coach, Rob Wolfe (32) from Washington, DC, who ran with the leaders and finished fifth overall.

Local hero Alan Webb, fresh from his extraordinary summer of racing in which he ran 3:48.92 for the mile at the Bislett Games, jogged the opening mile with Carville. Webb, who is scheduled to run the Fifth Avenue Mile in New York, seemed excited to share the spotlight with thousands of ordinary runners.

"This is a great event," he said. "I'm just pleased to be a part of it."

As were we all.

Gulf Coast Relief 5K Home Site.