COOPER RIVER BRIDGE RUN
ANNUAL RACE GENERATES WELLNESS PLUS LIFETIMES OF MEMORIES
TIPS FOR HAPPY FEET
10 GREAT PLACES TO TAKE A PRE-RACE WARMUP RUN
MEET PAST BRIDGE RUN WINNERS
Cooper River Bridge Run
Celebrate the Lowcountry.
The Bridge Run is more than just a race.
Welcome to the 48th annual Cooper River Bridge Run, an experience that’s more than a regular road race.
The Charleston community thrives on the new challenges and opportunities that keep this race fresh and exciting. That’s why our race has lasted through generations and contributed in countless ways to the economy and well-being of the Lowcountry and state of South Carolina. The Bridge Run’s commitment to promote a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and exercise is a goal to which we will forever aspire. We look to the youth of our community to help us perpetuate this worthy endeavor so that it remains a solid foundation for a healthy tomorrow.
Many of you have witnessed the growth from 700 to 40,000 participants, and we couldn’t have done it without you. We’re in this together!
We kickoff our event with the ever-growing Health and Wellness EXPO on April 3 and April 4 at the Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston. Our Health and Wellness Expo has more than 200 vendors with cutting-edge fitness attire, exercise equipment and demonstrations, nutritional information, and product sampling.
The Cooper River Bridge Run begins at 8 a.m. April 5 with the elite wheelchair division starting at 7:25 a.m. Spectacular harbor views and our beautiful architecture will amaze and inspire you as you cross the Ravenel Bridge from Mount Pleasant to Charleston. We have one of the only races in the country that provides free transportation (250 buses) before and after the race for any participant wearing a race bib. Cross the finish line, receive a medal and then enjoy our Finish Festival in Marion Square, the heart of beautiful historic downtown Charleston.
We are very honored again to have Harris Teeter as our presenting sponsor. In fact, we offer heartfelt to all our wonderful sponsors and vendors for their continued support.
We couldn’t begin to have this event without the tremendous job done by volunteers, local police and our community partners. Our board of directors and staff sincerely thanks the people of our wonderful community who are the heart and soul of the Cooper River Bridge Run.
Let’s get over it!
Irv Batten, Race Director
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Bridge Run stories
Annual race generates wellness plus lifetimes of memories
By Andy Brack
Imagine you’ve just completed the 10K Cooper River Bridge Run, which you walked and jogged with your mom, your boyfriend’s mom and his aunt. You’re tired — and you’re dressed as Cinderella, courtesy of an idea from your boyfriend’s mom. (The other three are dressed as the Fairy Godmother, Wicked Stepmother and a sister of the Wicked Stepmother, respectively.
“It was cute,” Kelsey Bates said. “She tried to get us to wear ball gowns, but I said absolutely not. So I did tutus and the colors. She enjoyed it and I wasn’t too against it.”
As you approach Marion Square for the race Finish Festival, the Fairy Godmother points out a special “Chasing Cinderella” finish line and urges you to run through it.
On the other side is Prince Charming on bended knee.
“When I saw him down on his knee in a Prince Charming shirt, I was just shocked and then I realized what was happening!”
Engaged on Bridge Run day in 2019, she and Cab Bates married the following year. They have two children and live in the Huger area.
Rain or shine, runners will ‘get over it’
The Cooper River Bridge Run will welcome more than 35,000 runners to Mount Pleasant this year to run across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge through downtown.
When the race started in 1978, just 766 finishers made it to the end. This year, the bridge run turns 48. (It should be 49, but the Covid pandemic interrupted one year.)
On April 3 and 4, the event will welcome runners at its Health and Wellness Expo at the Charleston Area Convention Center, staffed by 200+ booths and vendors.
On April 5 — Race Day — wheelchair participants will zoom to a start at 7:25 a.m., followed by runners at 8 a.m. Participants will ascend the grueling 4.8% grade up the bridge, before having an easier time going down.
The run, which touts itself as “the best organized and best conducted 10K race in the world,” has a huge fiscal impact every year. It pumps about $33 million into the local economy over the weekend as visitors pack hotels and flock to local restaurants and beer halls. It also generates thousands of dollars annually to charities.
And while most “get over” the bridge and finish the race, many treasure the experience of running with waves of people headed to complete a common goal. And that, in turn, inspires stories, tens of thousands a year. Here are some of them.
Steve Aycock file photo
Ironmen of the Bridge Run
Mostly retired Realtor Owen Meislin and fully retired sales professional John Weeks are two Bridge Run stalwarts who live in Charleston.
“John and Owen are the Ironmen of the Bridge Run,” said Race Director Irv Batten. “They have completed all 47 races and are signed up for the 48th.”
This year, they’ve been getting ready to run it again, but with a twist. Both will be running in 2025 as new members of the Bridge Run Hall of Fame.
For years, Meislin ran the race with an Atlanta friend. Through it all, they’ve had a friendly competition, sometimes sandbagging each other with jokes.
During one race a few years back, everything was going well until Meislin lost his friend in the crowd.
“I knew this cagey guy had something up his sleeve,” he said. As the finish line approached, he spotted his friend on the left.
“I’m not sure how he got there. He never passed me … So I sneaked past him way to the right and started booking it to the finish line. I had a stealth frame of mind, crossed the finish line and turned back. … There was Mark coming up and he said, ‘I beat you and I had already finished the race.’ ”
But Meislin, 72, never took the bait. “He probably cut through and went straight through to the finish line.”
Last year’s Bridge Run was a little different for the 83-year-old Weeks due to a memorable mishap. Just before he crossed the finish line, he felt a knee give. He crashed into a fence and hit his head.
“I was able to get up and finish the run,” he recalled. “A few months later, I thought I was having a migraine headache but it didn’t go away for three days.”
Turns out that he had some brain bleeding that required surgery in November. A month later, he was cleared to exercise again.
“I’m back to running now,” he said, adding that his knee still gives him a little trouble. “I did a four-mile practice run the other day. I’m planning to make this one the
48th in a row … My goal is to run 50 bridge runs in 50 years.”
‘Banged up’ in the Bridge Run
In the early years of the Bridge Run, West Ashley resident Gail Bailey was uber-competitive. One year — probably around 1980 — rain started pouring as she started to warm-up.
“I had this hairstyle where the bangs would flop in front of my face,” she recalled. With the rain matting her hair, she couldn’t see too well.
“I went over to the Old Village, went up to somebody’s house and asked if I could borrow a pair of scissors. I just cut my bangs off on the front porch.”
It didn’t look pretty, she said, but it worked because she could see.
“People were used to that sort of stuff. They knew I was really serious about my racing.”
‘A cascading Froot Loop rainbow’
Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie, who will be honored with a civic award this year for being a longtime Bridge Run booster, offers the case of the Froot Loops as his most memorable race story.
Several years back, he and his friends were very serious about running, setting a goal to run the 10K race in 40 minutes or less.
Back then, starting points were informal clusters of runners who expected to run similar times. He and his buddies lined up in the 35-40 minute zone behind a guy who didn’t really fit.
“That guy obviously had not trained and did not know anything about running. He started out in front of us.”
The guy kept a good pace over the first hump of the old Grace Bridge but as he started up the second, something happened.
“He lost his breakfast right there on
the bridge and it was obvious that he had eaten Froot Loops for breakfast,” Haynie chuckled. “All of us had to tip-toe around a cascading Froot Loop rainbow.”
No one in his group got slimed, but Haynie still wonders, “Who eats Froot Loops before a 10K?”
Crawling to a finish
Mount Pleasant resident Tami Dennis, who coached youths for years on running the race, participated 32 years in a row.
One year, her husband was giving her a pep talk and asked, out of the blue, whether she had ever collapsed.
“No,” she said to which he replied she must
“ I actually made it ‘on TV’ crawling to the finish.” —Tami Dennis
have had “more in the tank” in other runs.
“Well, I must have taken his words to heart because with 100 meters left, I collapsed on the road and started crawling to the finish line,” she said. “I actually made it ‘on TV’ crawling to the finish.
“That was the last time I’ve asked for advice before a race! And it was the last time I collapsed at the end!”
2025 official events
BRIDGE RUN HEALTH AND WELLNESS EXPO
Thursday, April 3, noon to 8 p.m. Friday, April 4, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Charleston Area Convention Center 5001 Coliseum Drive North Charleston
COOPER RIVER BRIDGE RUN FINISH FESTIVAL
Saturday, April 5, 8 a.m. to noon Marion Square, Charleston (Participants only.)
GET AHEAD OF THE HILL
Post future races to your calendar now
We encourage you to post these dates to your calendar now so you can join us every spring for the Cooper River Bridge Run:
2026: March 28
2027: April 3
2028: April 1
2029: April 7
2030: April 6
2031: April 5
2032: April 3
Anytime you need the latest information on the race, check out BridgeRun.com . Happy running!
Photos courtesy Kelsey Bates
Prince Charming (Cab Bates) proposes to Kelsey Bates in 2019. They celebrate with family at right.
Rūta Smith file photo
Owen Meislin and John Weeks display first year Bridge Run T-shirts
Bridge Run route
Port-O-Lets
Water Station
First Aid Station
History of the Cooper River Bridge Run
1978
• The Cooper River Bridge Run is founded by Dr. Marcus Newberry.
• 766 finishers ran over the Silas Pearman Bridge.
1980
• The race course was rerouted over the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge.
• The Dewey Wise Trophy is established (oldest finisher who runs a time faster than their age in minutes).
1981
• First and only local overall winner, Mark Embler, finishes in 30:54.
1984
• First two-time winner, David Branch.
1985
• Prize money is awarded for the first time.
• The race course is certified.
1986
• The Marcus Newberry Award is established (the first male and female finisher from the Charleston Tri-county area).
• Race delayed one hour due to dense fog and an automobile accident.
1992
• Elite runners from Kenya began a long winning streak.
1993
• The first winners of the T-shirt Design Contest, Caitlin McPhilips and Amy Stewart Reed.
1994
• Oprah Winfrey ran the Cooper River Bridge Run.
• Julian Smith hired as race director. (1994-2019)
1995
• Race course returned to Silas Pearman Bridge with more than 10,000 finishers.
1997
• First use of chip timing.
• Female course record, Elana Myers in 31:19.
• Actor Bill Murray fired the cannon for the start.
1998
• First two-time female overall winner, Elana Myers.
2000
• Male course record set by James Koskei in 27:40.
2002
• Started the Bridge Run Hall of Fame.
• Genie Wellons becomes first wheelchair athlete to compete in the Bridge Run.
2006
• Record number 45,663 registered runners/walkers (33,742 finishers).
• First time over the new Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.
• Debut of the Elite Wheelchair Race.
• Runners required to be seeded according to their finish times.
2007
• Race capped at 40,000 participants.
2010
• First timing chips on race bibs.
• Second largest race in CRBR history with 38,413 registered/33,413 finishers.
2017
• 40th Anniversary celebrated with 40 Days of Bridge Run events.
2019
• CRBR awarded tghe Governor’s Cup Award (for impact on Tourism and Travel).
• Irv Batten officially becomes race director.
2020
• A Virtual Run replaced the regular race due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
2021
• The in-person race resumes on September 25 due to drop in Covid-19 cases.
• Hermin Garic sets a new course record (22:58) in the Elite Wheelchair Race.
• Overall Champion trophy named in honor of former Race Director Julian Smith.
2022
• Marks the 45th Anniversary of the Cooper River Bridge Run.
2023
• Overall Wheelchair trophy named in honor of “Genie” Wellons.
Keep your feet happy before you run
Staff reports
Your feet literally are the foundation for your running. To make sure you have healthy feet and legs, you need to take special care to make sure they stay happy. Here are some tips, courtesy of Amy Minkel, an owner of area Fleet Feet stores:
Remember
to hydrate.
Because muscles are about 79% water, drinking water daily will help keep them more pliable and resistant to injury. Minkel added that replacing electrolytes after workouts also helps people to absorb water properly.
Use the right sized shoe. Make sure to get a professional to fit your feet for the correct-sized shoe, making sure that the shoe is appropriate for the activity you’re planning. “Foot shape, volume, length and width should be considered when choosing a shoe,” Minkel said. “The correct shoe should be comfortable right from the start and not need a ‘break-in’ period.”
Pay attention to socks.
A good, proper sock can help prevent pesky foot issues such as blisters, hot spots and fungal infections, Mikel added. “A sock made from a technical, moisturewicking fabric is key. Avoid cotton as it traps moisture against the skin and loses its shape as it takes on moisture.”
Loosen up.
Minkel said that if you take care of your muscles before, during and after a run, they will take care of you. Runners should do a proper warm-up prior to a run or walk to get leg and foot muscles ready. After then after any run, make sure to stretch to ease your muscles toward rest. Using massage tools to keep your muscles loose can also help avoid injuries.
has given me incredible opportunities, unforgettable experiences, and connected me with amazing people who have changed my life. I truly couldn’t imagine living without singing—it’s the heartbeat of who I am. Before becoming a Presbyterian pastor, I designed theater sets. Being in CQQ gives me a chance to grow as a musician, while connecting with people I respect and admire as artists and individuals. Plus, it’s so much fun!
Meet the local Bridge Run winners
Leaders of the Cooper River Bridge run recognized male and female winners of the 10K race in a variety of categories, from overall and wheelchair champs to local winners and great volunteers.
Marcus Newberry Award winners
Recognizing the tri-county area’s top male and female finishers by year.
Kathy Kanes
Clarice Marana 37:33:00 1998 Tom Mather 32:53:00 Clarice Marana
Laurie Sturgell
Sarah Reed
2005 Tom Mather 32:53:00 Carre Joyce 37:22:00
Cooper River Bridge Run Hall of Fame
2002 Cedrick Jaggers, Ed Ledford, Dr. Marcus Newberry, Bob Schlau, Margaret Wright, Sallie Driggers
2003 Keith Hamilton, Terry Hamlin, Chuck Magera, Brian Smith, Gary Wilson
2004 Betty Bell, Dr. Gilbert Bradham, Mike Chodnicki, Emelyn Commins
2005 Tom Mather, Tom O’Rourke, Thomas Dewey Wise
2006 Marc Embler, Mayor Harry Hallman, Cadwaller “Quaddy” Jones, Lucy Jones, Mayor Joseph P. Riley, John Smyth, Cheryl Woods-Flowers
2007 Anne (Reed) Boone, Richard Godsen, Jimmy Seignious
NOTE: The Cooper River Bridge Run started the Marcus Newberry Award in its 10th year.
2008 Roy Hills, Margaret Konecky, Lee Newton, Bryce and Jenny Myers
2009 Karl Gueldner, Al Hawkins
2010 Ken Bible, James Tomsic, Liz Sheridan
2011 Randy Brown, John Conroy, Ted Summerford
2012 Gail Bailey, Irv Batten, Benji Durden, David Mellard
2013 Bill Boulter, Rives Poe
2014 Mark Friendrich, Eileen Stellefson Myers
2015 Mary Ellen Lenhardt, Eugene “Genie” Wellons
2016 Peter Carek, M.D., Clyde and Jan Mizzell
2017 Harry Davakos, Dena Garner, Lorraine “Rainey” Evans
2018 Marie “Scooter” Barnette, Ken Ayoub, Norman Walsh, M.D.
2019 Chris and Mace Brown, Bill Barfield, Krige Schabort
2021 Julian E. Smith III
2022 Benita Shaw
2023 Mike Burns
2024 Ken Berger
2025 Owen Meislin, John Weeks
Cedric Jaggers Award winners
In 2022, the Bridge Run started a new award — the Cedric Jaggers Award — to serve as a tribute to the race’s longtime historian and author of Charleston’s Cooper River Bridge Run: A Complete History in Words and Photos (2011). The top male and female South Carolina finishers receive an award and a $500 cash prize.
Julian E. Smith III Award winners
MALE WINNERS FEMALE WINNERS
Joseph P. Riley Jr. Award winners
Recognizing a person for his or her unselfish dedication to promoting health and wellness across the Lowcountry. Past winners include:
Year Name
2015 Noah Moore
2016 Marka Rodgers and Adam Gorlitsky
2017 Susan Johnson and Janis Newton
2018 Bill Macchio and Cullen Murray-Kemp
2019 Dr. Janice D. Key
2020 Dr. Marcus Newberry
2022 Paul Wieters
2023 Tami Dennis
2024 Deborah Blalock
2025 Will Haynie
Recognizing overall champions for the annual Cooper River Bridge Run.
Year Name Time Name Time
1978 Benji Durden 30:22:00 Lisa Lorrain 39:39:00
1979 Avery Goode 32:55:00 Marty Long 40:10:00
1980 Kim Burke (Tie) Steve Littleton 31:26:00 Michelle Moore 41:29:00
1981 Marc Embler 30:54:00 Kiki Sweigart 35:10:00
1982 Mark Donahue 30:28:00 Sallie Diggers 37:21:00
1983 David Branch 29:28:00 Mary Copeland 38:09:00
1984 David Branch 29:25:00 Brenda Webb 34:09:00
1985 Mike O’Reilly 29:28:00 Christina Boxer 34:08:00
1986 Hans Koeleman 29:29:00 Leslie Welch 33:37:00
1987 Paul Cummings 30:20:00 Mary Ellen Mcgowan 34:41:00
1988 Ashley Johnson 29:56:00 Carla Borovicka 34:38:00
1989 Ashley Johnson 29:48:00 Grete Wait 33:29:00
1990 Sam Obwocha 29:20:00 Shelly Steely 32:57:00
1991 Jeff Cannada 29:38:00 Kim Bird 34:49:00
1992 Dominic Kirui 28:24:00 Jill Hunter
1993 Paul Bitok 28:31:00 Sabrina Dornhoeffer 33:53:00
1994 Simon Karori 28:35:00 Elaine Van Blunk 34:01:00
1995 Joseph Kimani 27:49:00 Laura Lamena-Coll 33:58:00
1996 Joseph Kamau 28:32:00 Liz Mccolgan 31:41:00
1997 Paul Koech 27:57:00 Elana Meyer 31:19:00
1998 Tom Nyarki 29:59:00 Elana Meyer
Eunice Sagero
2000 James Koskei
Catherine Ndereba
2001 James Koskei 28:45:00 Catherine Ndereba 32:33:00
2002 John Italik 28:06:00 Catherine Ndereba 31:53:00
2003 Tom Nyariki 28:57:00 Edna Kiplagat 33:41:00
2004 Luke Kipkosgie 28:13:00 Sally Barsosio 32:28:00 2005 Linus Mayo 29:30:00 Olga Romanova 34:04:00
2006 Abraham Chebii 28:16:00 Sally Barsosio 33:35:00
2007 Richard Kiplagat 28:35:00 Rehima Kedir 32:05:00
2008 Robert Letting 28:47:00 Leah Malot 33:23:00
2009 Tilahun Regassa 28:24:00 Amane Gobena 32:25:00
2010 Simon Ndirangu
Lelisa Dedsisa
Mesekerem Assefa
Steve Aycock file photo
Dewey Wise Award winners
Year Name Age Time State
1980 Tom Baskett 66 47:18:00 S.C.
1981 Carl Jenkins
Eugene ‘Genie’ Wellons Award winners
Recognizing CRBR’s wheelchair champs by year.
2006 Tyler Byers 26:43:00 Leanne Sameister 46:42:00 2007 Tyler Byers 24:30:00 * * 2008 Tyler Byers 24:31:00 Jacqui Kapinowski 41:53:00
Krige Schabot 23:48:00 Jacqui Kapinowski 45:42:00
*Virtual race, no award *Virtual race, no award
Mount Pleasant Mount Pleasant
PATRIOTS POINT. Tour historic ships, the Medal of Honor Museum, and the only replica Vietnam Naval Support Base Camp in the U.S.
BOONE HALL PLANTATION & GARDENS. Explore colorful gardens and the area’s rich Gullah history.
SWEETGRASS BASKET PAVILION. Don’t forget to stop along the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor
to enjoy demonstrations of the community’s 300-year-old basket-making tradition.
ADVENTURE. With a dozen parks and trails, find outdoor adventures on the water, on boardwalks, on trails, and more!
LOCAL EVENTS. Come back to enjoy our Sweetgrass Half Marathon, Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival, Holiday Market, Christmas Light Parade and more!
82,000
Bottles of water needed for the race.
200+
Number of booths at the event’s Health and Wellness Expo, one of the largest in the U.S.
82
Percentage of runners with average household incomes of more than $50,000.
75
Percentage of runners who travel more than 60 miles to participate.
48
The Cooper River Bridge Run is 48 this year. It began in 1978.
32.9
Average participant’s age.
31.19:00
Women’s running record, held by Elana Meyer, 1997.
28:02:00
Women’s wheelchair record, held by Cheri Madsen, 2022.
27:40:00
Men’s running record, held by James Koskel, 2000.
22:34:00
Men’s wheelchair record, held by Hermin Garic, 2022.
20
The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (new Cooper River Bridge) opened 20 years ago on July 15, 2005.
4.8%
That’s the grade of the bridge.
3
Number of bridges used through the years: The John P. Grace Memorial Bridge, the Silas Pearman Bridge and the Ravenel Bridge.
3
The Cooper River Bridge Run, with up to 40,000 participants, is the third largest 10K run in the United States.
2.5 Length in miles of the Ravenel Bridge.
10 great places to take a pre-race warmup run
Looking for some new places in the Lowcountry to log some miles as you train for your next race? Veteran runnints offer these scenic locations where you might see some new, cool sites and experience parts of the Lowcountry with which you’re not familiar:
Sullivan’s Island
Just across the Intracoastal Waterway is Sullivan’s Island where you can get a great, long run on the beach. Go early and watch an amazing sunrise.
West Ashley Greenway
This former railroad track from Albemarle Road near the Ashley River to Main Road in outer West Ashley has miles of flat, good paths on which to train. It’s better in winter months when the bug population is more limited.
Ravenel Bridge
What better way to train for future Bridge Runs than to run 5 miles over and back across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge over the Cooper River? And running over the bridge early will have another advantage — you can stop and look at the beautiful harbor.
Awendaw Passage
North of Mount Pleasant around McClellanville is the 7.1-mile Awendaw Passage with scenic views of sensational Lowcountry landscapes. But you’ll need to run fast enough to keep away from mosquitoes and no-see-’ems!
Folly Beach
Running along the beach (be careful between the groins) can be uplifting, particularly along the “Edge of America.” Remember to be careful on narrow streets parallel to the beach.
Kiawah Island
You can start a great beach run at the south of the island from the county’s
Kiawah Beachwalker Park. But remember: It’s a healthy drive from the peninsula.
James Island County Park
This convenient park offers a bunch of trails where you can see wildlife in this sprawling area just minutes from downtown Charleston.
Mount Pleasant’s Old Village
There’s always something neat to see in the Old Village — old trees, an unnoticed cemetery, beautiful houses — whenever you run through the shady streets of Mount Pleasant’s Old Village. Make sure to check out the Pitt Street Bridge and breathe in the salt air and pluff mud.
Daniel Island
Many veteran runners laud the trails around Daniel Island as the perfect place to train.
Downtown Charleston
And last — but certainly not least — jogging through downtown’s streets when most people are asleep is a great way to greet the early morning — and a way to see Charleston when there’s not much traffic.
A Five-Day Celebration of the Arts Inspired by the Museum’s Newest Exhibition Statement Pieces: Contemporary Fashion Design & the Gibbes Collection
Rūta Smith file photo
The beach at Sullivan’s Island is a great place to get in a pre-race run
Courtesy CCPRC
Hit the trails and see the wildlife at James Island County Park
