Latest news with #CooperRiverBridgeRun
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Everyday Hero: 'Get under it' with the Lowcountry Splash
Around five hundred people will jump into the water on Saturday morning and 'get under it.' An idea that started 24 years ago has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for causes near and dear to the man who started it and has kept it going. Mark Rutledge, CEO of Rehab Carolina Physical Therapy, has reason to be excited. Two decades ago, he came up with the idea of the Lowcountry Splash while running the Cooper River Bridge Run. 'I ran the Bridge Run in like 1992 for the first time, and the motto, of course, is 'get over it' and I'm running it, and I'm an old swimmer; I swam in college, and I'm thinking it'd be cool to get under it. So that's where the idea was born, and then we made it happen in 2002,' Rutledge explained. The splash is a 2.4- or 6-mile swim starting in the Wando River and ending in the Charleston Harbor. It's an annual fan favorite for swimmers. In its early stages, it was a way for Rutledge to raise money for the neonatal intensive care unit at the Medical University of South Carolina, a foundation in his son Logan's name. 'He was born prematurely. He was born at 24 ½ weeks and was in the neonatal intensive care unit at MUSC. He was doing great. They were actually amazed at how well he had been doing for how early he had been born, and then he got an infection. In two days, he died from heart problems,' Rutledge said. 'So, he lived for a month.' The Lowcountry Splash made hundreds of thousands of dollars in the early stages, but a trip to Edisto soon directed the dollars to a new cause. 'We were at Edisto visiting friends, and two kids drowned while we were there. We heard the helicopters, we heard the ambulances, and we were all ex-swimmers at South Carolina. We didn't know what was going on. So I started investigating that and found out that South Carolina had the fourth highest drowning rate per capita in the country.' After discovering this, Rutledge decided to change directions and redirect the money to a program that teaches people how to swim, the Lowcountry Aquatic Program Swimming (LAPS). LAPS teaches students from kindergarten through first grade in Charleston County. 'We were up to teaching 1,700 kids with free swim lessons of kindergarteners and first graders when we were really at our peak before COVID,' Rutledge said. COVID killed the program, but Rutledge is working hard to restore it. The fun fact is that in the 23 swims that have been, no one has ever been bitten by a shark. The splash has raised around $1 million since its inception and will be heading into its 24th race this Saturday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Bridge Run and Flowertown Festival forecast
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – It will be a hot and muggy day for the Cooper River Bridge Run and Flowertown Festival. The starting temperature is 68 degrees; however, temperatures could near the record high of 89 degrees. There is a slight breeze, but it won't help cool things down too much. If you participate in either event on Saturday morning or afternoon, remember to take plenty of breaks, drink water, and wear sunscreen. The Cooper River Bridge Run begins at 8 a.m., and the Flowertown Festival is open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thousands to participate in 48th annual Cooper River Bridge Run
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Thousands of runners and walkers will line up Saturday morning in anticipation of the 48th annual Cooper River Bridge Run. Prepare for warmer temperatures for this year's bridge run. Saturday morning will start cool in the early morning, but temperatures could reach the record high of 89°. The event will get underway at 8:00 a.m., with racers expected to be in their assigned section by 7:00 a.m. Everything you need to know about the 2025 Cooper River Bridge Run Once the race begins, participants in the wheelchair category will make their way over the bridge, followed by the elite runners, and each heat will be released until all runners and walkers cross the start line. Krige Schabort was the first to cross over the finish line in the men's wheelchair division during last year's race with a time of 25:28, and Aerelle Jones finished for the women's wheelchair division with a time of 37:07. Herman Garic, 35, holds the division's record at 22:34 set during 2022's event. For the male elite runners, Ali Abdilmana, of Ethiopia, earned a $10,000 prize after crossing the finish line with a time of 27:54, and Sarah Naibei, of Kenya, won the prize for elite female runners in 2023, coming in with a time of 31:42. There are 15 elite males and 15 elite females competing in the 2025 race. The starting line for the Cooper River Bridge Run is located close to Simmons Street in Mount Pleasant, and heat markers begin near the Moultrie Shopping Center. Runners will head down Coleman Boulevard, cross the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and head down Meeting Street onto Woolfe Street before making their way down King Street, up Wentworth Street, and back up Meeting Street to Marion Square. Here's when roads and the Ravenel Bridge will close for the 2025 Cooper River Bridge Run Today's bridge run is drastically different from the first held in 1978, where 766 participants crossed over the Silas Pearman Bridge. Now, tens of thousands of runners will cross the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge as they make their way to the finish line near Marion Square. The race was rerouted from the Silas Pearman Bridge to the Grace Memorial Bridge in 1980 and later moved back to the Silas Pearman in 1995. It moved to the newly constructed Ravenel Bridge in 2006. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Here's when roads and the Ravenel Bridge will close for the 2025 Cooper River Bridge Run
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Thousands of runners and walkers will participate in the Cooper River Bridge Run on Saturday. Roads will be closed, some as early as Friday, to prepare for the race. BRIDGE RUN GUIDE: Everything you need to know about the 2025 Cooper River Bridge Run The starting line for Saturday's run is near Simmons Street in front of Moultrie Middle School in Mount Pleasant, with corrals filling up Coleman Boulevard for several miles. The finish line is located in downtown Charleston at Marion Square. The race starts at 8:00 a.m., and racers should be in line by 7:00 a.m. Initial road closures will begin on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant at 9 a.m. for race day set up. In Charleston, George Street between King Street and Anson Street will be closed from 9:00 p.m. on Friday, April 4, until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. Meeting Street between Calhoun and Wentworth will be closed at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, April 4. Traffic re-opens on Saturday, April 5, following finish line cleanup, near 2:00 pm. Society St. and Wentworth St. will open as the roadways are safe from the event cleanup. MOUNT PLEASANT Coleman Boulevard from Fairmount to Hibben will close at 3:00 a.m. Coleman Boulevard from Chuck Dawley to Live Oak will close at 5:00 a.m. Coleman Boulevard from Ravenel Bridge to Live Oak will close at 6:00 a.m. (expected to reopen around 10:00 a.m.) All lanes of the Ravenel Bridge will close at 7:00 a.m., with a diversion of all southbound traffic onto Mathis Ferry Road. The bridge will reopen once all runners are clear. Areas along Coleman Blvd. will begin opening around 10:00 a.m., except for Fairmont Avenue, Hibben Street, and Chuck Dawley Blvd., which will open around 11:00 a.m. or once all runners and volunteers are clear from the race course. CHARLESTON Calhoun Street from Meeting Street to Anson Street will be closed to all traffic from 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with resident-only traffic until 4:00 a.m., and the road will close entirely (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Calhoun Street from King Street to East Bay Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen around 2:00 p.m.) Hutson Street from King Street to Meeting Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Meeting Street from John Street to Wentworth Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen around 2:00 pm.) **Wentworth and Society will be open until 6:00 a.m. unless pedestrian traffic forces early closure** Charlotte Street from Elizabeth Street to Meeting Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Henrietta Street from Elizabeth Street to Meeting Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Elizabeth Street from Calhoun Street to Charlotte Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) George Street from East Bay Street to King Street will close at 4:30 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Anson Street from Calhoun Street to Society Street will close at 4:30 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Alexander Street from Charlotte Street to George Street will close at 4:30 p.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Arthur Ravenel Bridge Wonderway Lane will close at 6:30 a.m. to clear pedestrians (it will remain closed until the bridge reopens, typically between 11:00 a.m. and noon) Race Route will close at 6:00 a.m. Meeting Street from Romney Street to Woolfe Street and John Street to Hasell Street Woolfe Street from Meeting Street to King Street King Street from Cannon Street to Hasell Street Wentworth Street from King Street to Meeting Street Society Street from King Street to Meeting Street George Street from King Street to Meeting Street Hutson Street from King Street to Meeting Street The race route will reopen streets as runners finish and crews clear the roads. Most are expected to be open by noon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Everything you need to know about the 2025 Cooper River Bridge Run
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – Are you tackling the Cooper River Bridge Run for the first time? Whether you are planning your first run or you've participated in years past, we've got everything you need to know for a successful race day. Race participants should stop by the Bridge Run Expo on Thursday or Friday to pick up their race day packet, which includes bib number, computer timing chip, event information, sponsor gifts, and a Cooper River Bridge Run t-shirt. The expo, held at the Charleston Area Convention Center, runs from noon until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday. Packets cannot be picked up on race day. Prepare for warmer temperatures for this year's bridge run. Saturday morning will start cool, but temperatures could reach the record high of 89°. Buses will be available between Charleston and Mount Pleasant on Saturday. Buses headed to the start line run from 5:00 a.m. to 6:45 a.m., and you will need your race bib to board the bus. Return buses will leave from downtown Charleston beginning at 10:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. to get racers back to their parking areas. Buses will be marked according to the four parking areas. Strollers will not be permitted. For more information about bus shuttles, please click here. You can purchase boat shuttle tickets for race day. The names of those who purchase tickets will be on a list at the dock. The Boat Ferry to Patriots Point leaves from the Fountain Walk Dock (on Concord Street, just north of the SC Aquarium at the end of Calhoun Street) Boarding will begin at 5:45 a.m., and the first vessel will leave at 6:00 a.m. The second will leave at 6:30 a.m., and the third will depart at 6:45 a.m. Shuttle buses will carry participants to Coleman Boulevard from Patriots Point. After the race, boat shuttles will depart for Patriots Point starting at 11:00 a.m. and leave every thirty minutes, with the last departure at 12:30 p.m. If you do not want to run with your bag, 'sweat shuttle' trucks will be located at the corner of Live Oak Drive at Coleman Boulevard and Chuck Dawley Blvd. near the Sea Island Shopping Center. These trucks will take your bags (which must be pre-labeled with your name and phone number) until 7:40 a.m. The truck will be parked at the end-of-race festival (corner of John and Meeting streets) until noon. Any items not claimed after noon will be donated to Goodwill. A so-called sweeper bus on Patriots Point Road at Coleman Boulevard will start up the bridge at 10:30 a.m. to pick up any stragglers that have not made it over. The starting line for Saturday's Cooper River Bridge Run is located near Simmons Street in front of Moultrie Middle School in Mount Pleasant. Heat markers begin near the Moultrie Shopping Center. Organizers say you must wear your race bib number to be allowed on the course and shuttles. Runners must position themselves by pace and color-coded heat numbers. There are 6 race categories Walk or Walk-Run Run – Over 70 Minutes Run – 60 – 70 Minutes Run – 50 to 60 Minutes (Verification Required) Run – 45 to 50 Minutes ( Verification Required) Run – Under 45 min Competitive (Verification Required) Run – Under 40 Minutes Seeded (Verification Required) There will be porta johns staged along the race route, along with water and first aid sections for those who need them. Bands will also be positioned along the route to pump you up for the big race! The race will finish at Marion Square, where participants will find food, refreshments, entertainment, vendors, and souvenirs. The race starts at 8:00 a.m., and racers should be in line by 7:00 a.m. Several roads will begin closing in both Mount Pleasant and downtown Charleston on Friday in preparation for the Cooper River Bridge Run. See a list of closures and times below: Delays are expected on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant beginning Friday at 9:00 a.m. as setup begins. CHARLESTON George Street between King Street and Anson Street will be closed from 9:00 PM on Friday, April 4, until 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 5. Meeting Street between Calhoun and Wentworth will be closed at 9:00 PM on Friday, April 4. Traffic re-opens on Saturday, April 5, following finish line cleanup, near 2:00 PM. Society St. and Wentworth St. will open as soon as the roadways are safe from the event cleanup. MOUNT PLEASANT Coleman Boulevard from Fairmount to Hibben will close at 3:00 a.m. Coleman Boulevard from Chuck Dawley to Live Oak will close at 5:00 a.m. Coleman Boulevard from Ravenel Bridge to Live Oak will close at 6:00 a.m. (expected to reopen around 10:00 a.m.) All lanes of the Ravenel Bridge will close at 7:00 a.m., with a diversion of all southbound traffic onto Mathis Ferry Road. The bridge will reopen once all runners are clear. Areas along Coleman Blvd. will begin opening around 10:00 a.m., except for Fairmont Avenue, Hibben Street, and Chuck Dawley Blvd., which will open around 11:00 a.m. or once all runners and volunteers are clear from the race course. CHARLESTON Calhoun Street from Meeting Street to Anson Street will be closed to all traffic from 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with resident-only traffic until 4:00 a.m., and the road will close entirely (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Calhoun Street from King Street to East Bay Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen around 2:00 p.m.) Hutson Street from King Street to Meeting Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Meeting Street from John Street to Wentworth Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen around 2:00 pm.) **Wentworth and Society will be open until 6:00 a.m. unless pedestrian traffic forces early closure** Charlotte Street from Elizabeth Street to Meeting Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Henrietta Street from Elizabeth Street to Meeting Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Elizabeth Street from Calhoun Street to Charlotte Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) George Street from East Bay Street to King Street will close at 4:30 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Anson Street from Calhoun Street to Society Street will close at 4:30 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Alexander Street from Charlotte Street to George Street will close at 4:30 p.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Arthur Ravenel Bridge Wonderway Lane will close at 6:30 a.m. to clear pedestrians (it will remain closed until the bridge reopens, typically between 11:00 a.m. and noon) Race Route will close at 6:00 a.m.: Meeting Street from Romney Street to Woolfe Street and John Street to Hasell Street Woolfe Street from Meeting Street to King Street King Street from Cannon Street to Hasell Street Wentworth Street from King Street to Meeting Street Society Street from King Street to Meeting Street George Street from King Street to Meeting Street Hutson Street from King Street to Meeting Street **The race route will reopen streets as runners finish and crews clear the roads. Most are expected to be open by noon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
