Cooper River Bridge Run
The sky was overcast, which made for a cool and comfortable morning. The crowd of approximately 38,000 runners and walkers, although nowhere near a record turn-out, was in high spirits. The smattering of costumed participants was ever-amusing, especially the gentlemen in red dresses who ran past, one of whom stopped long enough to flash his coordinating red bloomers at Celeste Patrick and me. (Fie on my slow reflexes for not capturing that on film!) Mayor Riley finished in less than an hour, setting a healthy example for his constituents. There were plenty of delicious apples at the finish— doughnuts and bratwurst for the athletes with iron stomachs. And a new component of this year’s Cooper River Bridge Run translated into $15,700 in donations for organizations that promote health and well-being.
Race participants had the opportunity to make a donation to one of six pre-selected charities via their entry form, and checks of varying amounts were doled out to the following: the American Cancer Society ($5,000), the Lowcountry affiliate of Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation ($4,500), the Exchange Club’s child abuse prevention center in North Charleston ($3,000), the National Kidney Foundation ($1,200), Donate Life South Carolina ($1,000), and Sea Islands YouthBuild ($1,000).
To everyone who made it across the bridge on Saturday, especially those who gallantly ran with 50 pound packs strapped to their back to raise money for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, I salute you!
Caritas.
Ida
