Cooper River Bridge Run

The race mission is to increase interest in and awareness of cardiovascular health and exercise while generating a spirit of involvement in the local community and at the same time raising funds for public education on the importance of exercise. But this year there is an added benefit to signing up to run the 10K. The opportunity to sign up through a charity enables runners to donate the entire registration fee to one of eight participating charities, three of the eight offering aid exclusively to children as well as other well known charities like the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization.

Aside from the educational and altruistic foundations of the race, satellite operations that further involve the community have sprung from the success of this event. An annual contest for artists is run, some time prior to the race, in search of eye-catching art that captures the essence of the race's mission. This work will be seen on thousands of tee shirts and posters promoting the race. The winning artist will receive notoriety for his or her work and a cash prize. The tee shirts and posters will be sold this year and will be available in subsequent years through the CRBR Online Store with many other exercise related and memorabilia items, to raise money and to promote the race.

The CRBR has become a popular race among wheelchair competitors. A promoter of health and community involvement, the race organization invites participants to compete in the Wheelchair Division. These contestants are welcomed and equally accommodated. As with foot runners, wheelchair enrollees will finish a 10K race from Mt. Pleasant to downtown Charleston. (Holiday Inn, Patriot's Point is the official hotel serving the entrants in the Wheelchair Division and will have official connections for transportation and special accommodations.)

There will be an entirely separate "River Bridge Run" for children held the day before the official race. Official in its own right, the children's race, held at Hampton Park,(adjacent to The Citadel) is usually scheduled for 5:00 pm, we recommend you check the time. The race is preceded by registration and packet pick-up. The children's race is broken down to age groups and appropriate distances for those groups and holds all the excitement as the adult race, if not more, but allows for younger folks to learn about healthy exercise and compete safely within their own ability levels.

Even if you don't run the 10K, there are plenty of ways in which to participate. Watch the race and join in the festival at Marion Square Park. Encourage your kids to race on Friday afternoon and enjoy the merriment at Hampton Park with them. Walk the race unofficially to get a feel for the event if you're contemplating making the run next year. Get artistic and submit an entry to the official art contest. Raise money for one of the featured charity organizations. No matter what level, participate in the CRBR, get inspired to get healthy and at the same time strengthen your connection with your community. For more information, Cooper River Bridge Run.