Sidney Lanier Bridge Run 2011

This morning I participated in the Sidney Lanier Bridge Run. I really like this run because it is very challenging and because the view from the top is second-to-none. This race has certainly evolved since I first ran it in 2004. The first time I ran, there were just a handful of people, no timing chips, and no formal start other than a guy standing there saying "ready, set, go". Now, however, it is a major event with bands, runners starting in waves, and cash prizes for the winners. This year, there were 2,000 runners. That's not counting the hoards of walkers who were in attendance. According to the newspaper, there were runners present from 17 states and 3 countries. I ran the race in 28:08. That's not bad considering that only 300 yards of the entire race is on a flat surface. My finish time this year was a new personal best for this race. Since I was an individual runner, I was in the first wave of contestants to begin. Once my race was over, I decided to grab my camera and walk back up with the fifth wave of contestants (the walkers). I wanted to get some pictures of the approach to the top of the bridge. As I was walking up, my friend Krystial and her sister Corrina were coming back down (they were with the third wave- team runners), so I was able to get some good pictures of them actually running on the bridge. This was a great morning with beautiful weather. I only hope that all of my upcoming races will be as nice.