I ran an absolutely gorgeous race this saturday. First Annual Mackinac Memorial Bridge run. It was just a run race and short (5.17 miles) but what a neat expierence. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the “Mighty Mac” this bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the U.S. and connect Michigan’s Upper and Lower Pennisulas. The sun was shining, there was zero wind (wind is a big concern 170’ over the water) it was about 45 degrees. All in all a perfect day for a race. The race format was a bit odd, they started us off in groups of ten as the bridge authority didn’t want a mass start, why wasn’t explained to us, but it was chip timed so not a big deal. The beginning was 2 miles uphill then about 3 downhill and a quick jog thru residential section to the finish, followed by a great breakfast at the local civic arena. It will definetly join my list of annual races.
Hi,
Congrats on a nice race…sounds very very good…anyway just wanted to comment on the idea of sending off runners in small waves. I believe that if you send too many people off at once and they start running this could set off vibrations that could start the entire bridge swaying and eventually if everything was just right start the entire structure swaying until it collapsed. Thats why I believe they have soldiers marching across bridges out of step with each other so this will not happen. Its highly unlikely but can occurr. Even wind can set this off if conditions are just right.
…there was zero wind (wind is a big concern 170’ over the water)…
Yep… as a matter of fact, a woman flew over the side of the Mackinac Bridge in her car some years ago… supposedly due to the strong winds. Yikes!