Thousands Of Runners Cross The Bay For 10K Race
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- High mile run. For the first time in eight years, runners shut the Chesapeake Bay Bridge down for a morning run.
Marcus Washington explains they did it for a good cause.
And they're off! Twenty-thousands walkers and runners took part in the "Across the Bay 10K."
"Today is a beautiful day. It couldn't be nicer. And it's the inaugural run. This is great," said Kris Hacker, runner.
Traveling 6.2 miles, runners packed and literally shut down parts of the 1,600 foot long bridge--standing nearly 190 feet above water--which is why the location was so appealing to race organizers.
"Where would it be really cool if we could get a hold of it? The Bay Bridge stuck out as an obvious choice," said Sparrow Rogers, Across the Bay 10K.
This is the first time in nearly a decade that any race, run or walk has used the bridge as part of its course.
"There was no congestion on the bridge, people are having a great time, Mother Nature cooperated to a T. So everyone's having a great time," said Dave McGillivray
While it's been years for an event like this, some runners are picking up what once was a family tradition.
"My dad did it originally when they used to have the Bay Bridge run and they stopped for awhile. We saw the opportunity to do it again, figured it would be a good time," said Steve Phillips, runner.
The run is not just about winning a race or having fun, it's also about raising money for charities. And after Sunday, it looks like a benefiting partnership that will stick around for some time.
"Absolutely. We have a multi-year agreement, so we can do this every year. Weather cooperating, we will be back here every year with a bigger and better event," Rogers said.
Runners in the Across the Bay 10K came from all 50 states and 14 countries. The youngest runner was five-years-old; the oldest was 88-years-old.
Other Local News: