Let's yap about the Bridge Run!
Mar 22nd, 2006, 04:30 AM
#21
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For some reason my beloved husband loves to park in the garage by the Aquarium that leaves us stuck in traffic for several hours.
My suggestion would be to park at the Visitors Center and take one of the buses over. It moves quickly.
We are biting the bullet and coming into town and staying Friday and Saturday night at The Days Inn on Meeting so we'll be able to walk over to the visitors center to catch the bus.
My suggestion would be to park at the Visitors Center and take one of the buses over. It moves quickly.
We are biting the bullet and coming into town and staying Friday and Saturday night at The Days Inn on Meeting so we'll be able to walk over to the visitors center to catch the bus.
Mar 22nd, 2006, 04:39 AM
#23
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GoTravel - glad to hear it didn't close out on you!
AlanC - I'm a little at a loss over the change of route as well...I don't like the idea of still being in a crowd when I hit the bridge.
In the past, what has worked well is to park in Mt. Pleasant. You don't have to get up as early if you don't have to catch a shuttle. (last few years at Sea Island Shopping center or the big gym on the route) Then take the shuttle busses BACK to your car. At that point, you're out of downtown traffic...we always go out to IOP and collapse on the beach....then head back to downtown to celebrate in the evening.
I didn't run last year, but in '04 the post-race shuttle busses worked very efficiently. I will note that I always waste a fair amount of time wandering around the finish area, gathering up freebies, having my photo taken, etc. so I didn't even have to wait for a bus.
AlanC - I'm a little at a loss over the change of route as well...I don't like the idea of still being in a crowd when I hit the bridge.
In the past, what has worked well is to park in Mt. Pleasant. You don't have to get up as early if you don't have to catch a shuttle. (last few years at Sea Island Shopping center or the big gym on the route) Then take the shuttle busses BACK to your car. At that point, you're out of downtown traffic...we always go out to IOP and collapse on the beach....then head back to downtown to celebrate in the evening.
I didn't run last year, but in '04 the post-race shuttle busses worked very efficiently. I will note that I always waste a fair amount of time wandering around the finish area, gathering up freebies, having my photo taken, etc. so I didn't even have to wait for a bus.
Mar 28th, 2006, 06:02 AM
#26
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What is Ravenel Bridge? Is that the bridge over Shem creek on Coleman Blvd? The race flyer says it closes at 7:00 and that you should be at the start line by 7:00. I have no intention of doing that. Anyone have suggestions as to a route to a parking area somewhere near the start line that I can arrive at around 7:30? thanks.
Mar 28th, 2006, 08:28 AM
#27
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Litespeed, the Ravenel Bridge is the new bridge over the Cooper River.
The one you are running over.
You'll have to take 526 all the way around Charleston to get to the start after 7AM.
The wait really isn't that long.
If you drive to Mt. Pleasant, you'll have to make arrangements to get back to your car.
Personally, I'd park downtown and take the shuttle over.
The one you are running over.
You'll have to take 526 all the way around Charleston to get to the start after 7AM.
The wait really isn't that long.
If you drive to Mt. Pleasant, you'll have to make arrangements to get back to your car.
Personally, I'd park downtown and take the shuttle over.
Mar 28th, 2006, 09:49 AM
#28
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OH. Duh. I didn't know that's what it's called.
I guess I'll continue w/ my plan to park in Mt. Pleasant. I knew you couldn't use the..ahem...bridge over the Cooper on race morning. ;-) I will consider your suggestion, depending on what I learn when I finally figure out where my friend's house is. Thanks.
I guess I'll continue w/ my plan to park in Mt. Pleasant. I knew you couldn't use the..ahem...bridge over the Cooper on race morning. ;-) I will consider your suggestion, depending on what I learn when I finally figure out where my friend's house is. Thanks.
Mar 29th, 2006, 05:07 AM
#31
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YOu can watch it end at Port City Java which is right at Marion Square in the bottom floor of the Francis Marion Hotel (locale of my wedding reception in 2002 - like anyone cares, but I love the place). Or better yet, take in a brunch at The Terrace above Millenium music. GoTravel may correct me on this, but perhaps the brunch is only on Sunday, so that may not be an option.
Apr 3rd, 2006, 05:17 AM
#32
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Recap Time!
Beautiful weekend, could not have asked for better. 5 minutes of sprinkle while driving to the start line, a little wind on the bridge, otherwise perfect. Charleston in full bloom.
We wound up using neither shuttle, but were kindly dropped off at the start and retrieved downtown later in the day. 526 was bumper to bumper from 17 alt in to Sea Island Shopping Center. We were worried for a while, but I made the start w/ 7 minutes to spare. We left home (near Cosgrove exit) at 6:30...I would do that a bit earlier for safety's sake in the future.
I thought this bridge was harder:
a)less warm-up before the bridge
b)longer continuous climb vs. the little dip you got on the old bridge.
My time was 48:24, :30 off my best, but I guess it's a PR for this course !
Question: what's up with all the spectators in the first 1 1/2 mile having numbers? Are those the walkers? and do they just file in after the runners go by? That way they don't get timed? Is that why there were only 33k finishers even though 46k signed up?
Another question: why do they bother having staggered starting positions if nobody pays any attention? I went to the trouble of sending in a time to get a number close to the start line, but more than 50% of the people in that area had higher numbers.
My only complaint for the organizers is that the water was all the way at the far end of Marion square from the finish area, and somewhat hidden by other booths. I think water should be within arms length as soon as you cross the line.
I'm looking forward to hearing from the rest of you.
Beautiful weekend, could not have asked for better. 5 minutes of sprinkle while driving to the start line, a little wind on the bridge, otherwise perfect. Charleston in full bloom.
We wound up using neither shuttle, but were kindly dropped off at the start and retrieved downtown later in the day. 526 was bumper to bumper from 17 alt in to Sea Island Shopping Center. We were worried for a while, but I made the start w/ 7 minutes to spare. We left home (near Cosgrove exit) at 6:30...I would do that a bit earlier for safety's sake in the future.
I thought this bridge was harder:
a)less warm-up before the bridge
b)longer continuous climb vs. the little dip you got on the old bridge.
My time was 48:24, :30 off my best, but I guess it's a PR for this course !
Question: what's up with all the spectators in the first 1 1/2 mile having numbers? Are those the walkers? and do they just file in after the runners go by? That way they don't get timed? Is that why there were only 33k finishers even though 46k signed up?
Another question: why do they bother having staggered starting positions if nobody pays any attention? I went to the trouble of sending in a time to get a number close to the start line, but more than 50% of the people in that area had higher numbers.
My only complaint for the organizers is that the water was all the way at the far end of Marion square from the finish area, and somewhat hidden by other booths. I think water should be within arms length as soon as you cross the line.
I'm looking forward to hearing from the rest of you.
Apr 3rd, 2006, 05:55 AM
#33
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Hi! I had a great time on the bridge too. I ran a few laps around the shopping center to warm up, but didn't get a chance to stretch enough before the start.
I have no idea what the deal was with all the people with numbers. My husband and I were talking about that. Some of them looked like that had running numbers and colors, so I don't what the deal was with that.
It was very windy on the incline, which slowed me down a bit, and a nagging I.T. band problem kicked in a little after about 2 miles, but we finished in 58 minutes. Better than last year because of the horrible bottle necks and the walkers starting at the 3K mark.
We were very lucky to be dropped off at 6:30 at the shopping center and picked up at the Music Farm. I can't imagine what parking would have been like.
Now I need to go make sure my knee is healed before I start training for NYC this summer. Happy and healthy running!
I have no idea what the deal was with all the people with numbers. My husband and I were talking about that. Some of them looked like that had running numbers and colors, so I don't what the deal was with that.
It was very windy on the incline, which slowed me down a bit, and a nagging I.T. band problem kicked in a little after about 2 miles, but we finished in 58 minutes. Better than last year because of the horrible bottle necks and the walkers starting at the 3K mark.
We were very lucky to be dropped off at 6:30 at the shopping center and picked up at the Music Farm. I can't imagine what parking would have been like.
Now I need to go make sure my knee is healed before I start training for NYC this summer. Happy and healthy running!
Apr 3rd, 2006, 10:40 AM
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Congratulations Litespeed Chick and Runlong!
I commend you for braving the crowds. The bridge I can handle, but I can't imagine a 6.2 mile race with 30,000 plus runners packed in. Especially as so many runners tend to ignore starting corrals (or fudge their numbers to get up front). I have found that to be true in the two marathons I've run so far too.
Litespeed--you were clocking sub-8:00 minute miles if I can do the math. Way to go! Runlong, take care of that ITB.
I commend you for braving the crowds. The bridge I can handle, but I can't imagine a 6.2 mile race with 30,000 plus runners packed in. Especially as so many runners tend to ignore starting corrals (or fudge their numbers to get up front). I have found that to be true in the two marathons I've run so far too.
Litespeed--you were clocking sub-8:00 minute miles if I can do the math. Way to go! Runlong, take care of that ITB.
Apr 3rd, 2006, 12:03 PM
#35
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We ended up skipping the race due to a medical thingy of Mr.GoTravels (minor but his MD said no) so we camped all weekend.
I wonder if they will send me my tee shirt?
It sounds like too many walkers got too far up into the front of the pack for the begining of the race and got pulled out and made to wait until all the runners went by.
That would be my guess.
Also, the runners had different colored bibs than the walkers.
I wonder if they will send me my tee shirt?
It sounds like too many walkers got too far up into the front of the pack for the begining of the race and got pulled out and made to wait until all the runners went by.
That would be my guess.
Also, the runners had different colored bibs than the walkers.
Apr 3rd, 2006, 01:17 PM
#36
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Sorry to hear about Mr. GoT.
No, I'm sure they weren't pulled. They had clearly positioned themselves to watch the start of the race from there. I'm not saying they were doing anything wrong...actually I think that was kind of smart...they got to be both spectator and participant later.
I'm also pretty sure there was no consideration of pulling people who lined up ahead of their bib category. I know I sound like the 2nd grade tattle -tale here, but I was irritated. I looked up one of my relative's times and I noticed her chip time was only about 15 seconds behind her gun time....yet she had a 1:20 time and should have been positioned WAY in the back. I'm within 30 seconds or so of being in the awards and it ticks me off that it took me a minute to get to the start line because I was dumb enough to stand where I was suppossed to. OK, rant off, thanks for listening.
No, I'm sure they weren't pulled. They had clearly positioned themselves to watch the start of the race from there. I'm not saying they were doing anything wrong...actually I think that was kind of smart...they got to be both spectator and participant later.
I'm also pretty sure there was no consideration of pulling people who lined up ahead of their bib category. I know I sound like the 2nd grade tattle -tale here, but I was irritated. I looked up one of my relative's times and I noticed her chip time was only about 15 seconds behind her gun time....yet she had a 1:20 time and should have been positioned WAY in the back. I'm within 30 seconds or so of being in the awards and it ticks me off that it took me a minute to get to the start line because I was dumb enough to stand where I was suppossed to. OK, rant off, thanks for listening.
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