Tips from a local...
The Cooper River Bridge 10K is an incredible race. The race organizers cap the registration at 43,000 people (raised this year from 40,000) and it has sold out the last two years!!!
Even though I run over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (that's the actual name of the bridge) almost once a week (sometimes more) it is still amazing to do it with 39,999 other people.
The scene is unreal and something everyone should do at least once (this is my seventh time running the race).
Here are my tips for making this a great experience. I am assuming you have already trained for the race, but if you need a coach or a group to join check out www.CharlestonRuns.com:
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Relax and enjoy the crowds. Its a huge race, one of the biggest in the world. That's one of the cool things of being part of something like the Cooper River Bridge Run. Watch all the crazy people and just laugh. It will get you through some of the lines and the waiting.
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If you are in town and are near Mount Pleasant before Thursday, go get your packet at the Bridge Run Store. You don't have to go to the expo!
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If this is your first time running this race or any big race, go to the Expo! You do not want to miss walking through all the vendors and checking out all the running stuff. There are very few 10K's that offer an Expo as big as this one.
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If you go to the Expo, go on Thursday (trust me on this one).
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If you are flying into Charleston, you are actually flying into North Charleston. Not really a tip, just a fact. The tip is don't pack your running shoes and (if you had your packet mailed to you) your race number in your luggage. Put them in a carryon. My sister flew all the way from Indianapolis to run the race and her luggage was lost...
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Carbo loading is really for races that last over ninety minutes (half and full marathons). Don't stuff yourself on pasta. But if you want to eat pasta, just remember that there are 39,999 other runners out there with the same idea and they have guests too... Okay, if you have to eat pasta then I suggest eating in Mount Pleasant. La Pizzeria is right over the Bridge and Giuseppi's is on Coleman near Sullivan's Island. Easy and you will get to drive down Coleman Blvd to see the starting line.
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Organize your clothes the night before. Put on your race bib (number). There are no chips to attach to your shoes (its on your bib) so this will save you some time. Oh, the blue Boeing bracelet from 2011 was a flash drive (you did not need to wear it during the race - that still cracks me up...).
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Eat breakfast. The race starts at 8:00am (well, there are now wave starts so you might start as late as 8:33 - or later). Eat at least two hours before the race. Oatmeal is good, whole grain bread with almond butter and honey is great!
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If you park Downtown, either take the shuttle (they stop before 7:00am - don't be pissed if you show up late) or get someone to drive you to Mount Pleasant. If you know someone that lives in the Old Village ask them if you can park at their house and then walk to the start. I am hesitant to share this, but if you take 526 to the very end in Mount Pleasant and then get on Rifle Range Road it will take you into the Old Village. Very little traffic and your ride can drop you off near the start... Shhh...Don't tell anyone.
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Yes its Charleston, but its not Key West. It may be cold at the start. Bring a throw away so you stay warm until the start of the race (sweatshirts are about $3.00 at Goodwill and some are fun to wear for a few hours).
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The Old Village is a great place to do a warm up run.
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Get in your seeded area as soon as possible. Enter from the rear and move as far up as you can (in your area).
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Tips for running the course:
Mile One - this is mostly down hill, but look out for the median after the Shem Creek Bridge. As funny as it is to see hundreds of people tripping over it, I don't want someone who reads my blog to bite the pavement or slam into a lamp post.
Mile Two - this is the last mile before the incline. Again, not really a tip just wanted you to know.
Mile Three - the Bridge starts here. You are going to hear a bunch of Garmins going off before the mile marker (this happens every year - not sure why the marker is off). Anyway, its only one mile to the top! Push through this and it is smooth sailing down the Bridge.
Mile Five - you will still be going down hill, but this is where the off ramp is located. Don't stop to sample the energy drinks at the bottom of the ramp. It will waist time and you will feel like crap afterwards.
Mile Six - I love this part of the race. The crowds will be cheering like crazy and you will go past the finish festival (the Kenyans will have already showered and cashed their checks at this point).
Last .2 - there are some turns at this point. When you are on Meeting Street going back towards the finish festival you are almost done. Kick it and sprint through the finish line! Don't look down at your watch or be surprised with your time, your finish picture will look pretty stupid...
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The Finish Festival is great! There will be plenty of food and water (this is one race that has never failed me).
Tell your friends where to meet you before you leave them. Its crazy and you need to be specific (the bright orange TrySports tent is a good place). Check out the bands and just relax and enjoy the finish. Cheer on others as they come in.
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If you are local (or not) join the Charleston Running Club. Yes, they have great meetings and races. But the CRC Tent at the finish festival is awesome! For $20 ($25 for a family membership) you get a year's membership and you get to have breakfast at their tent! I know this sounds crazy, but its well worth the money.
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Don't rush to get back to your car. Relax... If you parked Downtown, you are already there. If you parked in Mount Pleasant, you have a few options. You can run back (really, there are a ton of people that do this every year). Or you can take the bus back. There are free buses (school buses) that shuttle thousands of runners back to Mount Pleasant. Here are two things you need to know. First, wait until the Bridge has opened before you take the bus. If not, they will drive all the way around 526 to get back to Mount Pleasant. Second, the bus stops at Mustard Seed in Mount Pleasant. This is a little over a mile from the starting line. Make sure you Google this location so you can find your car (you will notice the thousands of people who did not read this blog wondering around trying to figure out where they are).
If you have more tips or better tips please add them in the comments and I will try to include them next year.
That's it! Have fun and good luck!
Thank you for reading my blog and giving me a place to share my joy of running! If you like my blog and would like to show your support please click on this link "The Top 100 Running Sites" and click the "Click Here to Enter!" button to vote for MooreOnRunning. Thanks again for stopping by.
Thank you for reading my blog and giving me a place to share my joy of running! If you like my blog and would like to show your support please click on this link "The Top 100 Running Sites" and click the "Click Here to Enter!" button to vote for MooreOnRunning. Thanks again for stopping by.
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