The sixth annual Walk As One event raised about $265,000 for the National Conference for Community and Justice. About half of the proceeds go to the Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

The walkers raised money by getting sponsors for their six-mile hike, which started at the Freedom Center museum, went through downtown Cincinnati, across the river to Kentucky and back.

For the first time, there also was a 10K "Freedom Run."

Attendance was down this year. Some attributed that to cold and windy weather, along with scattered rain. More than $295,000 was raised last year, which was more than any of the other 30 participating cities raised in 2003.

Event coordinator Beth Bagneris said the success of Greater Cincinnati's event last year was especially gratifying considering the racial problems the city has faced over the past few years.

"Cincinnati gets a bad rap, but Walk As One gives us the opportunity to show all of the people in this community who support justice," Bagneris said.

During the past six years, the Greater Cincinnati event has raised about $1 million.

E-mail dklepal@enquirer.com