Cooper River Bridge Run

twilightlvr79
twilightlvr79 Posts: 130 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I was just wondering if anyone on MFP was planning on running in the Cooper River Bridge Run. I have a friend that lives in Charleston that I am thinking about running with this time. I have heard that the run is awesome so I am seriously considering this one.

Replies

  • 126siany
    126siany Posts: 1,386 Member
    I have done this one, the last year before the new bridge.

    It. was. awesome!

    It is a great race, all sorts of activities around it, great finish line party.

    Things to know:

    -Charleston is FLAT. Bridge runs, erm, not so much. So you will have numerous locals who will literally stop halfway up the bridge because they have never, ever, run a hill. OOPSIE! I had never seen so many people just stop dead in front of me--no moving to the side as there is nowhere to go on a bridge (or at least the old bridge). You're going to run more than 10K going around people who never knew a bridge was a hill.

    -It's a bridge. Uphill for the first half and downhill for the second half. You're going to want to train on some long, gentle hills.

    -It's a bridge. Medical personnel can't get to you easily. A man died in the first mile and a half during my run--heart attack. Took forever for emergency personnel to get to him. If you are in poor health, this is not a great choice of race because there is no access.

    -The hotels jack up the prices INCREDIBLY. Like almost double the prices if you don't stay 2-3 nights. I was actually combining this with a work trip, and my rate DOUBLED for the weekend. If you have to stay overnight, recruit friends to defray the cost.
  • 126siany
    126siany Posts: 1,386 Member
    bump for OP--this is a GREAT race!
  • juliec33
    juliec33 Posts: 238 Member
    Oh, so jealous!!!! I grew up in Charleston and remember the "old" two lane Cooper River Bridge! When I learned to drive as a teenager I remember driving over that and being terrified :noway: I know they replaced it and the "new" bridge with the Ravenel Bridge. I'd love to get back there to see it someday.

    You should do it!! I don't know which bridge it goes over but I remember the view from the bridges was great!
  • twilightlvr79
    twilightlvr79 Posts: 130 Member
    Luckily, I have a friend that lives in Charleston so I would be staying with her so I wouldn't have to worry about the hotel prices. I also live in the foothills of the Appalachains so as I progress in my training I will be adding hills to my training. In fact I am currently training on the trails at the weir dams near my house which has some varying terrain but I will be gradually adding in the actual dam so I am hoping by April I will be able to run two or three mile winding road that goes up to the top of the dam. My friend told me the 1.5 miles up the bridge was the worst part of the race other than that she said it was a really great run. I am very excited about this race and I am really looking forward to it.
  • maynger
    maynger Posts: 6 Member
    My husband, sons and I are all doing this...I just started a couch to 5k training plan today......I won't be competitive buy I will finish...8)
  • STrooper
    STrooper Posts: 659 Member
    I'm going. I can walk it in 1.5 hours. Got one of the last open spots. Hope the weather cooperates.

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