Justine and I did the 32nd Annual Cooper River Bridge 10K Run/Walk this morning. Since the Ravenel Bridge opened in July 2005 anyone can run or walk over it any time, any day but there's still something special about doing it for various charities with over 30,000 of your new best friends. (31,446 crossed the finish line today.)
A little over a mile into the race we hit the first bottleneck as the four lanes of Coleman Blvd became two lanes on the entrance ramp to the bridge. (The second bottleneck came when we exited the bridge onto Meeting St but I don't have a photo of that.)
On the ramp.
The bridge has a dual walk/bike lane on the harbor side but we weren't allowed to walk on it today (what's up with that?) so I had to take photos through the suicide-prevention fence. (It sort of works. We haven't had many suicides.) You'll notice that the cruise ship at the Port Authority passenger terminal is taller than most of the buildings in our historic downtown. We like it that the city has such a a low skyline.
Approaching the Diamonds and the top of the bridge.
Things had thinned out as we walkers approached the finish line.
A father-daughter moment at the end of the race.
Starting in 2006 all runners and walkers got a timing chip to attach to their shoes. Justine and I both crossed the finish line in 1:46:36 today, 2:31 better than our previous best time. I know that isn't a great time for walking 10K but you have to remember that we were walking in a freaking crowd!
When we got back to West Ashley we stopped for our traditional post-race breakfast. Nathan's Deli on Ashley River Rd is no more so we went to the Sunflower Café instead. The breakfast menu is fantastic but I miss my bagel and schmear.
When we returned home Justine crashed (we'd both been up since 4 AM) but I stayed awake, barely, because I had another bridge to cross. Today was also the 11th Annual Edgewater Park 0.1 Mile Bridge Run. Actually 0.1 mile is an exageration. It's closer to 100 yards. It's a fun run over a short bridge on Wapoo Rd with the proceeds going to a local charity. This year it's PetHelpers, our local no-kill animal shelter (and the place where I'll eventually adopt a friend for Champ).
The starting line. Notice that the finish line tape is Charmin. The orginizers spared no expense.
They're off! It's a fun run but a few of these guys took it very seriously.
Like the Cooper River Bridge run, walkers bring up the rear. Unlike the Cooper River Bridge run, the Edgewater Park walkers cross the finish line with adult beverages in hand.
It looks like a wonderful day. The photos are fantastic!
Posted by: Margaret | April 05, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Haha! I thought the Edgewater Park run was for people who slept in. You are way too ambitious!
Posted by: joan | April 07, 2009 at 12:16 AM
belated congrats on the finish!
Posted by: Da Goddess | April 21, 2009 at 08:37 AM