BRUNSWICK, Georgia: Feb. 23, 2011 – A record-breaking 2,192 runners
and walkers signed up to participate in the Ninth Annual Southeast Georgia
Health System Bridge Run across the scenic Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick,
Ga., Saturday, Feb. 19. Participants from as far away as Kenya, Germany
and Hawaii, completed the grueling trek across Georgia’s tallest
bridge to benefit the Health System’s cancer care programs. The
date of next year’s event has already been set for Saturday, Feb. 18.
In addition to individual runners and walkers, 51 teams participated in
this year’s team run/walk. The Glynn County Fire Department &
High View, Kentucky Fire Departments took on the Bridge in the firefighter’s
challenge where they ran the bridge wearing full firefighting gear.
Kenyan runner George Towett crossed the finish line first with a record-setting
time of 14:46.4, followed by fellow countryman and friend David Kellum
with a time of 15:02.6, with former Bridge Run winner Mike Gerber of Atlanta
placing third with a time of 16:52.1. In the overall female category,
another Kenyan, Janet Cherdbon-Bawcore, came in first with a time of 18:35.5.
Coming in second was Ansley Wood of St. Simons Island with a time of 22:29.9,
followed by Trey Weems of St. Simons Island with a time of 23:05.4.
Winners in the other major categories were:
- Overall Masters Men John Carr, Brunswick, 17:30.9
- Overall Female Masters Beatriz Zimmer, Brunswick, 24:08.6
- Fastest Firefighting Team Glynn County Fire Department
- Fastest Teams 1st - St. Francis Xavier Church, Brunswick 2nd - St. Simons
Presbyterian Church, St. Simons Island 3rd - Run Fit Sports, Brunswick
- Team Spirit Awards 1st - Boobie Head Team, St. Simons Island 2nd - United
First Credit Union, Kingsland 3rd - Pinova Solutions, Brunswick
The Run is considered the toughest 5K in the state of Georgia and was certified
in 2009 by the United States Track & Field Association. In addition
to the run and walk across the Bridge, participants and spectators were
treated to live entertainment at the top and bottom of the bridge by local
musical groups Mason Waters & Friends and Soul Gravy, while Wave 104.1
and Magic 105.9 provided a live radio remote. Air Evac medical helicopter
service provided a spectacular fly-over and landing during the event and
vendors were also on hand with food, demonstration and retail items. For
a complete listing of results, visit drcsports.com. To view Bridge Run
photos, visit sghs.com