COEUR d'ALENE - The medals were meant for the dogs.

And the proceeds from the inaugural Leashes and Laces 5k race were meant to go to the Post Falls Police Department K-9 unit, so it was only fitting that the finishing prizes were wrapped around the pooches, not the humans.

"It's his first medal," said Chris Moore, whose pup Tubbs had the hardware draped around its neck after finishing the race at a walking pace at the Greyhound Park and Events Center in Post Falls. "I had to go easy on him because of his hips, but he pulled the whole way."

Around 150 people, with pets in tow, completed the benefit race, which raised around $3,500 for training and maintaining the department's police dog unit, headed by the lone German shepherd Koda. The unit was originally funded on seized drug money.

So the name of the game Sunday was helping out the four-legged officer that helps keep the community safe.

A very worthy cause, participants - those who could talk - said.

"This is for anybody who likes dogs," said Clara Hester, who roller-skated the course, and had to pick up her little pup and carry it halfway through the race. "And I love dogs."

Big dogs, little dogs, trained runners and first timers all took part, and at the finish line (made of police crime scene tape) dogs got their medals, and huddled together with their tongues hanging out. The cooldown was followed by a demonstration of the police dog in action, plus a canine costume contest.

"I feel bad," said Lianna Boni, an aspiring police officer herself who finishedw the race with her minuscule Chihuahua, Bear, who nearly had to sprint to keep up. "He had to take 20 steps to my one."

The male and female winners were Spokane couple Andy and Heather Lefriec, who clocked 18 minutes, 25 seconds and 19:50, respectively. But Andy ran with their dog, Bella, which means the pup is in just as good a shape as the running couple.

"That's her first time," Andy said of fleet-footed Bella's first official race. "But she's always pulling me through the slower runs."

The inaugural run should become an annual tradition, especially since the first time around was such as success, said Brenda Smith, Post Falls police officer who helped spearhead the event. And the support of the community was well appreciated.

"It exceeded all of my hopes," she said.