The reopening of the Alfred Cunningham Bridge this year allows the sixth annual Neuse River Bridge Run to returns to routes across the city’s three bridges over the Neuse and Trent rivers.
The charity run for eight local nonprofits adds a half-marathon for Saturday’s 2010 event, along with the traditional 5k and 10k events.
More than 1,000 runners from as far away as Boston are expected for the early morning race starts at Union Point Park.
All races will begin and end at the city park, a departure from previous years when the 10K began in Bridgeton and came across the Neuse River Bridge.
Jim Bisbee, president of the Bridge Run board, said the logistics of transporting an ever-increasing number of runners across the river played a role in the starting-line change, along with the availability of the Cunningham bridge.
He said more than 600 runners have pre-registered, but historically 30 to 40 percent of entrants come just prior to or the day of the races.
The annual races have averaged raising $2,000 or more for each of the eight nonprofits.
“This is a great event that puts the best of New Bern in the spotlight as the routes allow runners to view our scenic waterways, tour some of our beautiful neighborhoods, and run in our historic downtown,” Bisbee said.
There are also four races inside the park for youngsters’ ages 3 to 10, and a health fair will be ongoing during and after the event.
The half-marathon begins at 7 a.m., followed a half-hour later by the 10K run and the 5K Run/Walk starts at 8 a.m. The children’s races are slated for 10:45 a.m.
The Cunningham Bridge will be closed to vehicular and boat traffic during the run.
Registered runners and pre-paid guests are offered a Pasta Push-off Dinner with the support of Sysco Foods and the New Bern Riverfront Hilton. Plus, and The Athletes’ Foot is presenting a Runners Mini-Expo during packet pick-up from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Hilton.
After the event, Carolina Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is presenting a Runners’ Celebration Tent complete with live band. Domino’s will be sharing an all-new healthy pizza and their lava chocolate cakes with all runners and walkers.
The Bridge Run is also offering community spectators, the runners’ supporters, and participants a “Be Active & Healthy” fair at Union Point Park.
“With a heightened focus on community health this year and through the gracious support of our title sponsor, Carolina East Health Systems, we are pleased to take the run to a new level of activity that only adds to the event’s focus on exercise,” Bisbee said.
Arapahoe Charter School fourth grader Jenna Baldree, a student of Melissa Giglio, won the SuperKids Fun Run t-shirt design contest. It will be featured on all the Fun Run T-shirts. Her original art was mounted by Ballantyne Framing and she also received a gift certificate from Arts & Materials for admission to an upcoming art class.
“We invite all residents and businesses along the route to come out, cheer and participate in this annual event. Community support of this event will ultimately be what encourages the runners to come back or to keep running this race,” Bisbee added.
Charlie Hall can be reached at 252-635-5667 or chall@freedomenc.com .
Neuse River Bridge Run
♦ Saturday, Union Point Park
♦ Starting times:
♦ 7 a.m.: Half-marathon
♦ 7:30 a.m.: 10k Run
♦ 8 a.m.: 5k, Run/Walk
♦ Proceeds benefit the following charities and nonprofits: Craven Arts Council, Craven Community College Foundation, Craven Regional Medical Center Foundation, Mediation Center of Eastern Carolina, MERCI Clinic, Promise Place, Religious Community Services, Twin Rivers YMCA
♦ On the Web: bridgerun.org.