It was Sunday, April 2, 1978. A brilliant blue sky and intense sunshine welcomed an enthusiastic group of runners to Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. Little did they know that they were laying the building blocks of an incredible legacy – the Cooper River Bridge Run. The heat was on – literally. The race-time temperature climbed to a balmy 82, quite warm for early April, even … [Read more...]
Bridge Run History
More than just a race, the Cooper River Bridge Run is a testament to community spirit and the enduring allure of a challenge. Since the gathering at Patriots Point in April of 1978, countless runners have crossed the iconic bridge, creating a shared history. Here, you'll find a collection of articles capturing the essence this annual event, alongside stories that celebrate the decades of participation and passion behind the Cooper River Bridge Run.
Julian Smith’s Community of Runners
A Community of Runners; A Community of Support Every year on the first Saturday in April, tens of thousands of people flock to the Lowcountry to be part of arguably the most popular event Charleston hosts annually and what USA Today has touted as “one of the largest and most storied 10K races in America” – the Cooper River Bridge Run. For 25 years, Julian Smith has been at … [Read more...]
Getting Over It: Inspiring Tales from the Cooper River Bridge Run
The Cooper River Bridge Run attracts tens of thousands of participants every year. While some are motivated by beating a record, others, like ballet dancer and instructor Marka Danielle Rodgers, are determined to “get over it” to beat the odds. After suffering a spinal cord injury that left her an incomplete quadriplegic, Rodgers decided to take on the bridge to raise … [Read more...]
Crossing the Bridge: Jogging the Minds of Local Runners
Moving to Charleston four years ago and driving over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge for the first time, I was awestruck. It was simply beautiful, arched above the blue water, as it seemed to touch the sky at its highest point. It’s amazing to think that an architectural structure as simple as a bridge built over the Cooper River blesses the Lowcountry daily as people drive to … [Read more...]
Netflix Original Features The Bridge Run: Naked and Not Afraid
Take a hit Swedish romantic comedy; tweak it as a remake set in a wildly popular U.S. city and cast as the lead one of the funniest members from, arguably, the most successful African-American family in show business today. Then fold in elements of the classic “Groundhog Day” and place key scenes in and around the most famous 10K bridge run in the South. What you’ll have is a … [Read more...]
Starting a Movement: Adam Gorlitsky’s Unusual Bridge Run
Mount Pleasant resident Adam Gorlitsky celebrated an unusual anniversary on Dec. 30, 2015: It had been 10 years since the auto accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. During that decade, Adam has faced the challenge of getting used to life in a wheelchair and leaving his sports-playing high school days behind. Now, at the age of 29, he’s tackling a new … [Read more...]
For Some Bridge Runners, Age is Just a Number
When it comes to the importance of health and fitness, age is not an issue. For some, fitness is a lifelong lifestyle; others don’t establish a regular exercise regime until after their status as couch potatoes is confirmed. That’s exactly how Bill Boulter came to be the top contender in his age group of the Cooper River Bridge Run. “I didn’t start running until I was … [Read more...]
Well-Known Faces at the Races: The Cooper River Bridge Run
Every year, the Cooper River Bridge Run attracts tens of thousands of participants, ranging from hot dog-eating speed walkers to the world’s top distance runners. Over the run’s 35-year span, the race has been graced by several famous faces, including actor Bill Murray and TV star Oprah Winfrey. Murray, who owns a home on Sullivan’s Island, chose to be the center of … [Read more...]
Winning Designs: The Art of the Bridge Run
The 2013 cooper River Bridge Run was destined from the beginning to be a success. Every year the event raises tens of thousands of dollars for local and national charities, all the while helping to plant smiles on the faces of participants and supporters alike. Every great event needs a kickoff party: The Bridge Run’s was held recently at historic Alhambra Hall in … [Read more...]
Cooper River Bridge Run Trivia Questions
In what month and year did the bridge run begin? March 1978 Who was the overall winner of the inaugural race? Benji Durden of Atlanta won in 30:22. Durden later made the 1980 U.S. Olympic marathon team. The race registration fee for 2012 is $30. What was the original fee? $3 and it included a T-shirt. The first race was on a Sunday. The second race and all … [Read more...]