Why youth runners dash over the bridge

Members of the nationally recognized Mount Pleasant Track Club say they burn up the miles weekly at the track and area streets because they enjoy it, and they get to hang out
with their friends.

“I like to run because it’s fun, and I like to hang out with my friends and the coaches,” said 11-year-old Ty Allenspach of Mount Pleasant, a nine-time state champion in running events.

“It brings a lot of teamwork,” said Isle of Palms 11-year-old Siena D’Agostino.

Evan Whichard, also 11 of Mount Pleasant, said he loves the feeling of freedom when he races around the orange track at a Park West facility operated by the Town of Mount Pleasant.

“When I run, I feel free, and it relaxes me to hang out with friends,” he said.

Carter Richardson, 10, of Mount Pleasant

This weekend, the three are looking forward to zipping across the Ravenel Bridge to try to get their best-ever times in the 46th annual Cooper River Bridge Run.

Ten-year-old Carter Richardson of Mount Pleasant said he likes running to get exercise, which Evelyn Mercer, 10, agreed with.

“It’s great fun running fast and running races because it’s just a fun thing to exercise.”

Another runner, 11-year-old Ada Klick of Mount Pleasant, said running helps take her mind off of everything “like school and stressful things like homework.”

Head coach Tami Dennis said the young runners and about 394 other teammates were very comfortable running big races like the Cooper River Bridge Run.

Trying to beat past times

All six youths interviewed for this story said they couldn’t wait for the April 1 Bridge Run.

Allenspach, who recalled running the 6.2-mile race last year in about 42 minutes, wants to do it this year in under 40 minutes. Others said they hoped to make their personal bests by running the route in 45 to 50 minutes.

Last year, Richardson said he felt held back because he ran with a partner. This year, “I think I might leave him behind.”

Klick recalled running with Whichard last year.

“I was really happy I was done and happy I finished it,” she said. And even though she was tired, she says she’ll keep pounding the pavement.

“I love running.”

By the numbers

The Mount Pleasant Running Club has excelled for more than 20 years at local, state and national levels. The kids who have trained with the club have set lots of records in track and cross country, including:

Track