Fitness buffs and leisure trotters from around the Triangle came for the 23rd annual Old Reliable Run, which this year included 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer races, a 1-mile fun run and a 100-yard dash for kids.

The Triangle United Way sponsored the all-day event as the close to its annual fundraising drive for the Community Care Fund, which supports 177 human service programs in Durham, Orange and Wake counties. Heading into Sunday's races, United Way fundraisers had about $6.8 million of their $11 million goal for 2006.

The Triangle United Way in 2004 took over the Old Reliable, which had been organized by The News & Observer, and has since expanded it from a 10K for runners to a series of family-oriented events to raise money. Last year the event raised about $100,000.

More than 2,000 runners turned out, despite overcast skies, drizzle and 50-degree gusts that kept participants hopping and shivering while waiting between races.

"I'm really just doing this for the fun," said Caryn May, 21, a junior track and field competitor at UNC-Wilmington. She had to tough it through stiff head winds at the start of the 5-kilometer race but still finished in about 21 minutes, a bit off her 19-minute usual.

Dennis McDuffie, 49, of Raleigh was watching from the sidelines while waiting for the 10-kilometer race that followed. It was his 13th consecutive Old Reliable but his first on downtown's Fayetteville Street.

"This is meaningful to me because it's a wonderful new street," said McDuffie, who is originally from New Jersey. "And this event is one of the first to herald its opening."

Not far away, British native Neville Wood of North Raleigh drew cheers while running shirtless despite the cold and drizzle. The 69-year-old was contemplating a beer at one of downtown's newly opened pubs after the event.

So was Lea Beaulieu, 27, of Chapel Hill. The research pathology graduate student slipped into the Big Easy on Fayetteville Street soon after the race to have drinks with friends.

"There's a group of us that always gets together to run 5Ks in the area, especially when it's for a good cause," Beaulieu said. "Actually, as I was running by, I was checking out all the new places to stop in. This one was just perfect timing."