BY DAVID QUICK
Of The Post and Courier Staff
The runners aren't the only ones hoping to set records at Saturday's Cooper River Bridge Run and Walk.
For the first time in the event's 27-year history, organizers hope to crest the 30,000 registrant mark.
As of Wednesday, 25,573 people had signed up, including 15,091 runners, 10,065 walkers, 65 elite runners and 352 Kids Run participants, according to assistant race director Tami Varn.
"If the weather looks nice, we'll have between 3,000 and 3,500 walkers, and another 2,000 runners, in here (to register) the next two days," said Varn, referring to the Bridge Run Expo, which runs 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday at Gaillard Auditorium.
National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Wilkinson said to expect 50-degree temperatures under partly cloudy skies with 10 to 15 mph winds as the 8 a.m. Saturday race gets under way in Mount Pleasant. Temperatures ar expected to warm to about 60 degrees as the last walkers head into Ansonborough Field at 10 a.m. for post-race festivities.
On Wednesday morning, Smith was stunned to see the Internet registration numbers from Monday and Tuesday, which came in at 700 and 900, respectively. The latter was a one-day record for online registration.
He also called Varn at 7 a.m. to tell her to tell the T-shirt printer, Marvin Benford of Ink & Cloth Graphics, "to keep printing shirts."
Another event that promises to bring in more participants is Friday's Kids Run, which has been moved from Mount Pleasant's I'On community to Hampton Park in Charleston. The event will have a festival quality geared toward children, from toddlers to age 13.
If the event breaks a registration record this year, it may set up a scenario of four consecutive record-breaking years. The Bridge Run set a record last year with 29,293, and officials expect a huge turnout for the last race on the Silas N. Pearman Bridge in 2005 and first race on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in 2006.
Among this year's participants may be a celebrity. Bridge Run officials have been hearing rumors for weeks of a celebrity who plans to stay at Charleston Place hotel and participate in the run.
Hotel general manager Paul Stracey said he is unaware of any such celebrities, but added, "To be honest with you, I wouldn't have confirmed it if it were true." Most celebrities who stay at the hotel register for rooms under a false name anyway.
Jack Hibbits, a 28-year-old Mount Pleasant man, has mentioned that he'll have "a celebrity" at a party at Poe's Tavern on Sullivan's Island the evening after he finishes his fund-raiser, Hibby Runs the City. He is running over the bridge blindfolded, with the help of friends, to raise money for the local Association for the Blind. He was inspired by hip-hop star Sean "P. Diddy" Combs who ran the New York City Marathon for charity last year.
The Bridge Run will have more politicians hoofing it over the span this year.
U.S. Senate candidates Thomas Ravenel and Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride plan to run it. Former Gov. David Beasley plans to walk it with a group of organ transplant recipients from the Medical University of South Carolina. Gov. Mark Sanford and Charleston Mayor Joe Riley also plan to run the 10K.
Traffic in downtown Charleston will progressively get worse as out-of-towners begin to arrive to register and pick up race packets at the expo.
"Thursday is the best day to get in here," Smith said. "Besides the free goodies usually run out on Fridays."
2004 BRIDGE RUN SCHEDULE
The 27th Cooper River Bridge Run and Walk will start at 8 a.m. Saturday. Both the run and walk will kick off in Mount Pleasant. The finish line is on Calhoun Street near the Charleston County Library. The cost to participate is $25 for the 10K run and $15 for the 7K walk. The cost for the walk increases to $20 after today.
THE KIDS RUN, which features a festival and several races for children, will be noon to 6 p.m. Friday at Hampton Park in Charleston. The cost is $8. See www.bridgerun.com or call 792-0345 for more information.
TODAY & FRIDAY -- The Cooper River Bridge Run Expo at Gaillard Auditorium is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday. Besides registration and packet pickup, nearly 100 food, sportswear and race exhibitors will be on hand.
FRIDAY -- The Kids Run Expo -- featuring activities such as storytelling, camel and pony rides, and a jump castle -- will be noon to 3:30 p.m. A warm-up with Tim "T-Bone" Arem will be 3:45-4:15 p.m. Running events will be 4:15-5 p.m. and will include a 25-yard dash for toddlers, Gerber Stroller 100-yard dash, 100-yard run for ages 3 to 5, 1/3-mile run for ages 5 to 8 and mile run for age 8 to 13. Parents are encouraged to accompany children at all events. The expo continues 5-6 p.m.
SATURDAY -- Buses begin heading from Charleston Visitor Center to Mount Pleasant at 5 a.m. for the 27th Cooper River Bridge Run and Walk. Participants are urged to be in line for buses at 6 a.m. Line, King and Calhoun streets in Charleston and Coleman Boulevard between the bridges and Chuck Dawley Boulevard in Mount Pleasant begin to close at 7 a.m. The Silas N. Pearman Bridge closes at 7:30 a.m. The John P. Grace Memorial Bridge remains open.
LIVE BROADCAST: WCSC-TV, Channel 5, will broadcast the race live 7:30-9:30 a.m.
FINISH FESTIVAL: After crossing the finish line, participants head to Ansonborough Field for free entertainment, food and refreshments, and massages. Elite athletes and the top 3 age-group winners will be presented with awards. The top 5 percent age-group finishers will be able to pick up awards at the Charleston Running Club tent.
Click here to return to story:
http://www.charleston.net/stories/040104/loc_01brexpo.shtml