33rd Annual Cooper River Bridge Run

10K Road Race – Also includes a Fitness Expo (3/25-3/26), 10K Fitness Walk (3/27) and Kids’ Fun Run (3/26)
Event Organizers: Mr. Julian Smith and Cooper River Bridge Run Committee
Location: Mt. Pleasant, Arthur Ravenel Bridge and Historic Charleston, SC. The
viewing area encompasses a 6.2 mile course, with a start line in Mt. Pleasant and finish line at Marion Square, historic Charleston.
Date: March 27, 2010
Phone: (843) 856-1949
Office Headquarters: 716 Shelmore Dr., Suite 105, Mt. Pleasant, SC
Registration: www.bridgerun.com

Participants: Close to 40,000 (maximum) register for the 10K road race or 10K walk. Spectators include thousands of local residents and business people throughout the racecourse.

Media Coverage: USA Today proclaimed event as, “One of the Top 10 Great Places to Hit the Road,” - 05/09. America's Best TOP 10 ranks the Bridge Run as, “#3 of Best 10K Races in the US for 2009.”

Local Contributions: MUSC Children’s Hospital Fund, South Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association's, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, LOUIE'S KIDS, Charleston Miracle League, American Cancer Society, Lowcountry Center for Prevention of Child Abuse and Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy.

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Although this event includes close to 40,000 amateur runners and walkers from all 50 states, it is truly a professional sports event where world-class competitive runners take home the prize money. First place winner receives $5,000 and some 20 other checks are awarded for other accomplishments. Course record to-date is 27:40 (M) and 31:19 (F). The event is one of the world’s largest 10,000 meter runs, sanctioned by USA Track and Field, and has had many notable runners in the past.

ALL ACCESS Insider’s View:
This event continues to grow in the Southeast as one of the most popular road races and more sports enthusiasts make the competition their annual “jump-start” event for the season. Therefore, book your travel arrangements early and utilize the organizers newest booking agents for all your travel needs. Secure all your travel plans through a one-stop-shop Web site,
www.bridgerun.com. Also, save the date: April 2, 2011 for the 34rd annual road race.

Cooper River Bridge Run’s CLAIM to FAME:
• Elite United States national runner Benji Durden, whose opportunity to make the Olympic team was denied by President Jimmy Carter in 1980, won the first run.
• 1972 Olympic Marathon champion Frank Shorter competed in the 1983 Bridge Run.
• In 1989, world-renowned Norwegian marathoner Grete Waitz, 2nd in the inaugural Olympic marathon and former NYC winner, won the women’s division.
• The 1994 Bridge Run gained fame for a runner who ran under a pseudonym. TV personality Oprah Winfrey finished 3,839th with a time of 55:48.
• Actor Bill Murray fired the cannon for the 1997 Bridge Run and then ran the event.
• Kenyan Olympic runner Catherine Ndereba, second in the 2004 Marathon in Athens, won 3 consecutive years, 2000-2002.

Annual Cooper River Bridge Run
Family Circle Cup
Charleston Race Week
Charleston to Bermuda Yacht Race (C2B)
Charleston Harbor Fest
Portimao Globale Ocean Race
International Rugby World Cup Qualifier
International Women's Soccer Match
Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island
Charleston Classic Basketball Tournament