Among my earliest childhood memories: sitting in the backseat of our 1974 brown (“Ginger Glow”) Mustang II as it cruised toward the Mackinac Bridge. Traveling from Green Bay, Wis., where we lived, to my grandparent’s farm in Harrisville, on Lake Huron, I vividly remember the anticipation of reaching this large, long suspension bridge — and the high-pitched sound and thrumming vibration when driving across the grated lane on this 5-mile-long span high above the Straits of Mackinac.
To this day, whenever I cross the Mighty Mac, as we do during our cherished treks to the U.P., I’m immediately taken right back to these earliest family car trips. I still get a little nervous looking out the window at the big expanse of blue below (now from either the driver’s or passenger seats, not the backseat, thank goodness), particularly when we’re riding over the grates. But more than anything I am in awe — in awe of this spectacular bridge connecting our state’s two beautiful peninsulas. I can’t not look around and down as we make our way across.
The Mackinac Bridge is something special. We all know this. It’s a 60-year-old National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. I’m fascinated by its history — it opened to traffic on Nov. 1, 1957 and marked its 100 millionth crossing in 1998 — and love learning interesting tidbits such as its weight (1,024,500 tons) and usage (446,930 vehicles crossed during the month of June this summer compared to 437,174 in 2017).
It’s incredibly cool that we all have the opportunity to not only drive across the Mackinac Bridge, but also to run it each Labor Day.
The Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run is a non-competitive run, taking place just before the annual Bridge Walk. It’s organized by the Governor’s Office, Michigan Fitness Foundation, and Mackinac Bridge Authority.
Here are 10 reasons you’ll want to consider signing on for this run:
- It is the only opportunity to run over the Mackinac Bridge
- It kicks off the Labor Day Bridge Walk
- Space is limited to 700 runners; you feel like you have the Bridge to yourself
- The sunrise is spectacular
- Best photo opps ever!
- And you’re not the only photographer — professional photos are taken by Andrejka Photography and supplied to participants
- Moisture-wicking tees for all participants!
- Commemorative finishers medals for each finisher
- You’re supporting the Michigan Fitness Foundation’s mission of improving the health of Michigaders through opportunities to move, community design, and nutrition education
- Runners receive a send-off from Governor Rick Snyder and Lt. Governor Brian Calley
This is not a timed event and the course is not certified for distance.
Details:
- Monday, Sept. 3, 2018
- Start Time: 6:30 a.m. EDT
- Race Fee: $75 + $4.50 RunSignUp Fee
- Each participant will receive a finisher’s medal in addition to their race shirt.
Ready to sign up? Learn more and register here »
