Cooper River Bridge Run (CRBR) organizers announced a “vaccine or test” requirement Thursday for participants ahead of the Sept. 25 event that could attract up to 25,000 people to the area. City of Charleston officials are requiring the precaution, a spokesman confirmed, and race organizers said it mirrors similar steps taken by other events nationwide.
“With high COVID caseloads and local hospitals nearing capacity, the city is continuing to work closely with area medical professionals to craft strong and sensible safety guidelines for this year’s race,” said City of Charleston spokesman Jack O’Toole. “We appreciate the Bridge Run’s ongoing efforts to create a fun and safe event for participants and citizens alike.”
The annual 10K typically attracts more than 40,000 runners and walkers to the Charleston area, where cases are spiking and hospitals are nearing capacity. South Carolina as a whole and Charleston have seen some of the highest case numbers in the country this week. As part of the precautions, the CRBR has limited the race field to 25,000 participants this year.
Before picking up bib numbers, participants must show proof of vaccination or a negative next within 72 hours of the Bridge Run Expo in North Charleston, Sept. 23. Once vaccination status or test results have been verified, runners can pick up bib numbers at Charleston Area Convention Center on Sept. 23 from 12-8 p.m. or on Sept. 24 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
CRBR has also implemented additional COVID-19 protocols including: staff and volunteers wearing masks, mask requirement on participant transportation, smaller corrals, spacing out start times and hand sanitizing stations.
For more details on CRBR’s COVID-19 requirements, visit bridgerun.com.
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