Fitness enthusiasts from all over the country and the world will convene in Charleston on Saturday, April 5 for the 48th Annual Cooper River Bridge Run. Hosting a capacity of 38,500 participants, the Bridge Run is the third largest 10K event in the U.S.
Typically, the race draws participants from all 50 states and 15 different countries. Of course, pulling off such a massive race wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers.
James Island resident Pat Welch, president of the Charleston Running Club, which sponsors four local races throughout the year, said its members volunteer their time to fill all the registration packets for the Bridge Run. Typically anywhere from 12 to 15 volunteers work in two-to-five-hour shifts stuffing 30,000 to 40,000 bags with bibs, shirts and vendor goodies, according to Welch, who also serves on the board of the Bridge Run and has participated in the race more than 20 times.
Charleston Running Club (CRC) race director Tony Shuler is one of those volunteers. Shuler, a downtown Charleston resident and a 12-year member of the CRC, has volunteered with the Bridge Run for the last four years.
In a process that typically takes place two weeks before the Bridge Run, the team of volunteers loads the packets with cards from different vendors that include items such as $10 coupons and readies them for the packet pickup at the Health & Wellness Expo. On a big day, they can prepare 1,000-1,500 bags to distribute to runners and walkers.
Another responsibility of volunteers is coordinating people’s sizes for their shirts, which registrants also get through the Health & Wellness Expo. However, Shuler said volunteers also do a massive mail out in the thousands to obtain shirt sizes from those participants who cannot attend the Expo.
Shuler said for the volunteers, it’s neat to see the behind-the-scenes work that goes into organizing a major operation like the Bridge Run and to see the fruits of their labor displayed at the Expo, where people will pick up their race packets on the Thursday and Friday before the event.
Shuler, 67, has completed the Bridge Run 10 times in the past and still runs every day to stay in shape, but he no longer competes in races. Since he lives downtown though, he runs the Ravenel Bridge often.
Shuler cited a couple of factors that motivated him to volunteer. “I wanted to give back. You just feel honored that you helped with the Bridge Run to put it all together.” Further, Shuler said he enjoys knowing what the volunteer process entails for a race of this magnitude. He added that he also likes that it “kind of helps you build a rapport with runners.”
Packet and race shirt pickup for the 2025 race is at the Expo at the Charleston Area Convention Center on Thursday, April 3 from noon-8 p.m. and Friday, April 4 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will be no packet pickup on race day. The start is at the corner of Simmons and Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. Start time is 8 a.m., but you should be in your corral by 7 a.m.
By Colin McCandless
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