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
Covid-19 Update
Voting for the 44th Annual Cooper River Bridge Run 10K art work is now open!
To vote for your favorite design, click on the image below. Voting will close on Sunday, August 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
You can only choose one design, so choose wisely!