45,497 entrants, over 2,000 volunteers, 10 kilometers, two cities, and one bridge, all stand for the 29th annual Cooper River Bridge run.
With 45,497 entrants and 33,742 finishers, it was a race for the record books. This first year on the new bridge launched the 6.2 mile race as the second largest 10-kilometer race in North America, only to BOLDERBOULDER in Colorado and this year's 6.2 mile event consisted of runners and walkers and wheelchair competitors covering the same distance.
The new course, attracting thousands more competitors, led runners down Coleman Blvd. in Mt. Pleasant, before attacking the longest cable stay bridge in North America. The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is only one span, requiring runners to only attack one hill. The four degree ascent, however, was much longer than in past races.
Other changes to the course allowed runners to start further from the bridge, allowing them to be warm for the hill. The course also led runners two miles through the heart of downtown Charleston, finishing at Marion Square.
A more forgiving course provided hopes for good times, but a included in race day challenges was a 10-mile per hour head wind. Light cloud cover provided shade for early runners.
Abraham Chebil, from Kenya, won the race in a time 28:16, the 16th fastest time in Bridge Run history. Sallie Barosio, also from Kenya, captured the women's title in a time of 33:35. Neil McDonagh, 31:38, and Anne Wyman Cipolla, 39:04, take home the Newberry award for being the first local runners.
Finish line festivities were held at Marion Square and also the Second Presbyterian Church.
The 30th annual bridge run is scheduled for March 31, 2007.
Chuck King writes meet recaps for scrunners.com. King finished 441st overall with a chip time of 42:09.
Source: Bridgerun.com.
With 45,497 entrants and 33,742 finishers, it was a race for the record books. This first year on the new bridge launched the 6.2 mile race as the second largest 10-kilometer race in North America, only to BOLDERBOULDER in Colorado and this year's 6.2 mile event consisted of runners and walkers and wheelchair competitors covering the same distance.
The new course, attracting thousands more competitors, led runners down Coleman Blvd. in Mt. Pleasant, before attacking the longest cable stay bridge in North America. The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is only one span, requiring runners to only attack one hill. The four degree ascent, however, was much longer than in past races.
Other changes to the course allowed runners to start further from the bridge, allowing them to be warm for the hill. The course also led runners two miles through the heart of downtown Charleston, finishing at Marion Square.
A more forgiving course provided hopes for good times, but a included in race day challenges was a 10-mile per hour head wind. Light cloud cover provided shade for early runners.
Abraham Chebil, from Kenya, won the race in a time 28:16, the 16th fastest time in Bridge Run history. Sallie Barosio, also from Kenya, captured the women's title in a time of 33:35. Neil McDonagh, 31:38, and Anne Wyman Cipolla, 39:04, take home the Newberry award for being the first local runners.
Finish line festivities were held at Marion Square and also the Second Presbyterian Church.
The 30th annual bridge run is scheduled for March 31, 2007.
Chuck King writes meet recaps for scrunners.com. King finished 441st overall with a chip time of 42:09.
Source: Bridgerun.com.