Cooper River Bridge Run | History

 

History of the Cooper River Bridge Run

1978

  • The Cooper River Bridge Run was founded by Dr. Marcus Newberry.
  • 766 finishers ran over the Silas Pearman Bridge.

1980

  • The racecourse was rerouted over the Grace Memorial Bridge.
  • The Dewey Wise Trophy was established (oldest finisher who runs a time faster than their age in minutes).

1981

  • First and only local overall winner, Mark Embler finishes in 30:54.

1984

  • First two-time winner, David Branch.

1985

  • Prize money was awarded for the first time.
  • The racecourse was certified.

1986

  • The Marcus Newberry Award was established (the first male and female finisher from the Charleston TriCounty area).
  • Race delayed one hour due to dense fog and automobile accident.

1992

  • Elite runners from Kenya began a long winning streak.

1993

  • The first winners of the T-shirt Design Contest, Caitlin McPhilips & Amy Stewart Reed.

1994

  • Oprah ran the Cooper River Bridge Run.
  • Julian Smith hired as Race Director. (1994-2019)

1995

  • Racecourse returned to Silas Pearman Bridge with over 10,000 finishers.

1997

  • First use of chip timing.
  • Female course record, Elana Myers in 31:19.
  • Actor, Bill Murray, fired the cannon for the start.

1998

  • First two-time female overall winner, Elana Myers.

2000

  • Male course record set by James Koskei in 27:40.

2002

  • Started the Bridge Run Hall of Fame.
  • Genie Wellons becomes first wheelchair athlete to compete in the Bridge Run.

2006

  • Record number 45,663 registered runners/walkers (33,742 finishers).
  • First time over the new Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge.
  • Debut of the Elite Wheelchair Race.
  • Runners required to be seeded according to their finisher times.

2007

  • Race capped at 40,000 participants.

2010

  • First Timing chips on race bibs.
  • Second largest race in CRBR history, 38,413 registered/33,413 finishers.

2017

  • 40th Anniversary celebrated with 40 Days of Bridge Run events.

2019

  • CRBR awarded, The Governor’s Cup Award (for impact on Tourism and Travel).
  • Irv Batten officially becomes Race Director.

2020

  • A Virtual Run replaced the regular race due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

2021

  • The in person race resumes on September 25th due to drop in Covid-19 cases.
  • Hermin Garic sets a new course record (22:58) in the Elite Wheelchair Race.
  • Overall Champion Trophy named in honor of Julian Smith. (former Race Director)

2022

  • Will mark the 45th Anniversary of the Cooper River Bridge Run.

2023

  • Overall Wheelchair Trophy named in honor of “Genie” Wellons