WASHINGTON - As White House staff members battled the humidity during a three-mile run yesterday, some found themselves caught between competitive fire and political caution.
Should they or shouldn't they try to beat President Bush?
Some took the plunge, relegating the commander in chief to 26th place in the inaugural President's Fitness Challenge. Nearly 400 people signed up to run three miles or walk 1 1/2 at Fort McNair along the Potomac River.
Still, Bush clocked in at 20 minutes and 29 seconds, less than 7 minutes per mile - pretty good for a guy who turns 56 on July 6.
"It felt great," Bush said after crossing the finish line, surrounded by less-winded Secret Service agents.
Meanwhile, one helpful aide called out to the president: "There were no Democrats ahead of you."
Later, as racers gulped water and massaged aching muscles, Bush thanked his staff for setting the example laid out in his physical fitness program, HealthierUS.
"It's really important for the White House team to exercise on a regular basis," Bush said. "I hope you understand at least that's how the boss thinks."
Jokes about how, or whether, to compete with the boss dominated pre-race discussions at the White House, such as when political guru Karl Rove spoke with aides.
"Karl announced at a meeting last week that the president had won the race," joked Kristen Silverberg, a special assistant who finished behind the president but still claimed the title of fastest person in the White House chief of staff's office.
Some runners focused on personal goals anyway.
"I was a little behind the president - I never even saw him," said assistant press secretary Anne Womack, 26, calling her mark of 26:30 "my best time ever."
Another group of runners hung around Bush until someone - no one is sure who - urged a faster pace.
"I had some senior staff members reassure me it was OK," joked Catharine Ryun, an executive assistant in the faith-based office who finished more than a minute ahead of the president. "I didn't want to be disrespectful."
Ryun, 26, may be a natural runner. Her father, U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun, a Kansas Republican, once held the world record for the fastest mile.
Brian Bravo - a 21-year-old press office assistant whom colleagues touted as one racer to watch - lived up to the billing by finishing third at 17:48. Unlike some of his competitors, Bravo, a Houston native, said the 80-degree heat did not much bother him.
"The last mile was a little warm," the former high school runner said. "I'm glad we did it at 8:30 in the morning."
Other staff members joined first lady Laura Bush for a 1 1/2 -mile walk.
This being an army base, a cannon served as the starter's pistol. Runners and walkers traversed the tree-lined streets surrounding the proving grounds in the middle of the fort.
Aides said Bush took a keen interest in the planning of the three-mile race, frustrated that security efforts prevent him from participating in similar events.
"So, he's like, 'I've got to sponsor my own run,'" communications director Dan Bartlett said. "He's micromanaged this whole event."
That included approval of race uniforms and the way runners would be timed - by computer chips embedded in their shoes, a system designed for the benefit of those trapped in the crowd at the starting line.
Other prominent aides also trailed the president.
"Like a good Texan, I never gave up," shrugged White House counsel Al Gonzales.
The medical tent got a few visitors. After icing down his thigh, U.S. trade representative Robert B. Zoellick limped home to assess the damage of a pulled muscle.
"You don't know until the next day," he said.
Everyone finished behind Office of Correspondence staff member Philip Mattson, 26, who came in at 17:12. Paul Montanus, a 35-year-old military aide to Bush, finished second at 17:23.
The Bush run highlighted a four-day presidential push on physical fitness, including a youth T-ball game at the White House.
On Thursday, the Bushes held a "fitness expo" on the South Lawn of the White House. The next day, Bush visited a senior citizens center in Orlando.
He also spoke at a Republican fund-raiser in Florida, giving Democrats a chance to get some political exercise.
"President Bush flew 800 miles to raise $2 million, and expects the taxpayers to pick up the $150,000 tab because he watched an eight-minute workout," said Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the Democratic Party.
Other Democrats said Bush urged Americans to get healthier by not smoking even though he has taken campaign contributions from tobacco companies.
Bush has also attacked drug use and excessive alcohol consumption.
HealthierUS is designed to promote exercise, better eating habits and regular health screenings. All can help people live longer and reduce medical bills, Bush said yesterday during his weekly radio address.
"If just 10 percent of adults began walking regularly, Americans could save $5.6 billion in costs related to heart disease," Bush said. "And research suggests that we can reduce cancer deaths by one-third simply by changing our diets and getting more exercise."