Bridge Run hopes to draw bigger crowd with 10K

1,800 runner, walkers expected

In an attempt to draw more hardcore runners, the United Way of St. Charles has added a 10K to the annual Bridge Run. But those who want a more leisurely stroll over the Mississippi River need not worry – the 5K race will still take place on Saturday.

Over the years, the event has become the largest race over the Mississippi River in the country, and around 1,800 people are expected to descend upon St. Charles for the breathtaking view that the Hale Boggs Bridge provides.

The United Way added the 10K to the event so that experienced runners will have a practice run for the Crescent City Classic, a 10K race that takes place in New Orleans on April 7.

“We are definitely hoping that it will add runners to the race,” Tamara Plattsmier, event coordinator for the Bridge Run, said. “When you have serious runners, they want to do a 10K. That’s what makes them drive in from out of town.”

John Dias, executive director of the United Way of St. Charles, agrees.

“This year we are very exited that we will be adding a 10K event. We will continue to hold the traditional 5K event, but the 10K run will open the event up to a larger audience and greater participation,” he said.

The 10K race starts at 8:15 a.m. on the levee path in St. Rose near Oak Street and crosses the Hale Boggs Bridge to the West Bank Bridge Park in Luling. The 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. at the East Bank Bridge Park in Destrehan.

Winners of the 5K and 10K runs, which take participants to a distance higher than the Great Pyramids of Egypt and the Statue of Liberty, will receive cash prizes and custom race medallions.

For the third year in a row, children 12 and under will also be able to compete in a “Little Bridge Run.” Children can race on the half-mile course for free.

The United Way added the race in order to give children a chance to take part in the event. Many parents are too scared to bring their children across the bridge, so this allows the kids to get in on the action in the West Bank Bridge Park.

The post-race festival will include food, refreshments, beer, inflatables and face painting. One-man-band Reese Chiasson will also perform during the free festival.

Pre-registration is available for $25 per person until March 30. On race day, registration is $30 per person.

To register for the Bridge Run or for more information, call Plattsmier at (985) 331-9063 or visit www.uwaysc.org/bridge-run.

During the race, the I-310 exit ramp in Destrehan will close at 8 a.m., and westbound traffic on the Hale Boggs Bridge will be limited to one lane from approximately 7:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. River Road in Destrehan adjacent to the Hale Boggs Bridge will close at 8 a.m. and remain closed for 30 minutes.

River Road will reopen after all race participants are on to the Hale Boggs Bridge.