Bridge Run back after 3-year hiatus

It’s been three years since the public has had the chance to run across the Hale Boggs Bridge in the United Way St. Charles’ Bridge Run, but that will all change on Saturday.

“We are very excited and happy to be able to bring the Bridge Run back to St. Charles Parish,” Executive Director for United Way of St. Charles John Dias said. “The Hale Boggs Bridge provides a kind of symbol or rallying point for our community and since United Way’s goal is to unite and provide services across St Charles Parish – there is a natural connection between the bridge and United Way of St Charles.”

The last year the race was held was 2019. The 2020 race was cancelled due to the pandemic and in 2021 a virtual run was held in the place of the normal event. In other recent years the run was canceled due to bad weather and road construction on the bridge.

“We know our community has been through a lot and the run this year is a chance for us to be together and say we have made it through some tough years and we are rebuilding together,” Dias said.

Dias said as of Friday 800 people had registered for the event.

“We always get a lot of registrations the week before the event and then on the day of the event,” he said. “I don’t have data on how that compares to previous years, but I can tell you that we feel really good that there is a lot of interest in the event.”

The 5k raises awareness and funds for UWSC. The St. Charles Parish race is part of a three bridge race series. Runners who complete all three races – which includes ones across the Huey P. Long and Crescent City Connection bridges –  receive a special race medallion.

“It’s a signature event, not just for United Way, but for the community,” Melissa Perrier, UWSC Campaign and Marketing Manager, said of the Bridge Run. “We’ve had it over 20 years and it’s one of those things that people really look forward to. It’s always been such a great family event and a lot of people use it as part of their fitness goals.”

Perrier said the chip-timed run, which starts at the East Bank Bridge Park, ends at the West Bank Bridge Park with health and wellness booths, free food and drinks and prizes.

For more information on the race, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2022/57371/united-way-of-st-charles-5k-bridge-run-walk.

 

About Monique Roth 919 Articles
Roth has both her undergraduate and graduate degree in journalism, which she has utilized in the past as an instructor at Southeastern Louisiana University and a reporter at various newspapers and online publications. She grew up in LaPlace, where she currently resides with her husband and three daughters.

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