BRUNSWICK, Georgia: Jan. 22, 2010 – The Eighth Annual Southeast Georgia
Health System Bridge Run across the scenic Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick,
Ga., is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20. This year’s run will benefit
the Health System’s Cancer programs and promises to be bigger and
better than ever.
"This year’s theme is ‘Running of the Ribbons: The Colors
of Hope,’” says event organizer Susan Bates, director of Health
Promotion, Wellness & Community Outreach at the Health System. “The
official Run T-shirt features 15 colored ribbons representing the most
frequent types of cancer diagnoses at the Health System.”
The Run, considered the toughest 5K in the state of Georgia, was certified
in 2009 by the United State Track & Field Association. Competitors
will run across and return back over the Sidney Lanier Bridge, the tallest
span in Georgia at an impressive 480 feet at the apex and 7,000 feet long.
“This Run is both challenging and beautiful. The first to start
the event will be avid runners, who will each be given a chip timing device
to record their respective times, followed by walkers and then by anyone
interested in taking advantage of the bridge’s gorgeous view,”
Bates says. “The running portion of the event is for experienced
runners and should not be attempted by those who have not properly trained.”
Although the Run is regarded as quite challenging, there will be plenty
of other activities for the entire family. These include:
- 5K Walk (will start immediately after the runners begin)
- Department of Natural Resources Interactive Fishing Booth
- Live entertainment from the top of the bridge
- Live radio remote by local favorite Golden Isles Broadcasting and Joe Willie Sousa
- Food vendors
- Awards, including a new team spirit and team time award
“This is always a great, healthy family event for our community,”
says Health System President and CEO Gary R. Colberg, FACHE. “Hosting
such a wonderful, health-focused event that will benefit our Cancer program
fits into the Health System’s mission of providing quality health
care in our own backyard. We look forward to welcoming runners and walkers
back, some from as far away as Scotland, and to meeting new participants
as the event continues to grow.”
An addition to this year’s event is a pre-race Pasta Party where
participants will be able to pick up their pre-registration packets, along
with their bib numbers and Run T-shirts. The party will be held Friday,
Feb. 19, from 6-8 p.m. on the deck of Coastal Kitchen Seafood and Raw
Bar at the Golden Isles Marina, St. Simons Island.
Registration is required to participate in the Bridge Run. The entry fee
to pre-register online, or by mail, is $18 and must be postmarked by Feb.
12. The mail-in registration forms and information can be found at www.sghs.org,
or by contacting 912-466-5165. Participants can also register on-line
at www.active.com. There is a $2 discount per entry for teams of 10 or
more runners. The fee the day of the Run is $25. The cost for the Pasta
Party is $5. Event day registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the southbound
side of the bridge, with the race beginning at 9 a.m. Only participants
who pre-register will be guaranteed a Run T-shirt. Because of the steep
grade of the bridge, no baby strollers, running strollers, or roller blades
will be allowed during the Run. For more information on the Run, walk,
or other activities of the day, contact Bates at 912-466-5165.