HealthLinks Charleston Jan/Feb 2023

24 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com Race director Irv Batten Deputy director Mark Cellars Volunteer coordinator Jennifer Curry Registration coordinator Erin Magera-Hames Elite runner coordinator Michael Banks Special events coordinator Lorrie Warren Elite wheelchair coordinator Kim Aquino Assistant registration coordinator Marcy Krawcheck Transportation Coordinator Carl Beckmann 1978 • The Cooper River Bridge Run was founded by Dr. Marcus Newberry. • 766 finishers ran over the Silas N. Pearman Bridge. 1980 • The racecourse was rerouted over the Grace Memorial Bridge. • The Dewey Wise Trophy was established – for the oldest finisher who runs a time faster than his or her age in minutes. 1981 • The first and only local overall winner, Mark Embler, finishes in 30:54. 1984 • David Branch was the first two-time winner. 1985 • Prize money was awarded for the first time. • The race course was certified. 1986 • The Marcus Newberry Award was established for the first male and female finisher from the Charleston tri-county area. • The race was delayed one hour due to dense fog and an automobile accident. 1992 • Elite runners from Kenya began a long winning streak. 1993 • The first winners of the T-shirt design contest: Caitlin McPhilips and Amy Stewart Reed. 1994 • Oprah ran in the Cooper River Bridge Run. • Julian Smith was hired as race director. 1995 • The race course returned to the Silas N. Pearman Bridge, with over 10,000 finishers. 1997 • The first use of chip timing. • The female course record was set by Elana Myers: 31:19. • Actor Bill Murray fired the cannon to start the race. 1998 • The first two-time female overall winner was Elana Myers. 2000 • The male course record was set by James Koskei: 27:40. 2002 • The Bridge Run Hall of Fame is established. • Genie Wellons became the first wheelchair athlete to compete in the Bridge Run. 2006 • A record number 45,663 registered runners and walkers: 33,742 finishers. • The first time over the new Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. • The debut of the Elite Wheelchair Race. • Runners were required to be seeded according to their finisher times. 2007 • The race capped at 40,000 participants. 2010 • The first timing chips on race bibs. • The second largest race in CRBR history: 38,413 registered/33,413 finishers. 2017 • 40th anniversary celebrated with 40 days of Bridge Run events. 2019 • The CRBR was given The Governor’s Cup award for its 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 resumed on Sept. 25 because the number of COVID cases had dropped. • Hermin Garic set a new course record – 22:58 – in the Elite Wheelchair Race. • The overall champion trophy was named in honor of former Race Director Julian Smith. 2023 • Will mark the 46th anniversary of the Cooper River Bridge Run. HISTORY OF THE COOPER RIVER BRIDGE RUN STAFF

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