Bridge run gives racers chance to cross historic Mt. Hope Bridge

Inaugural Mt. Hope 5K scheduled for Aug. 12

Posted 7/24/17

Despite a ban on pedestrians on the Mt. Hope Bridge, local residents and visitors routinely trudge up to the top of the bridge to take in the breath-taking view, only to be escorted off by the police …

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Bridge run gives racers chance to cross historic Mt. Hope Bridge

Inaugural Mt. Hope 5K scheduled for Aug. 12

Posted

Despite a ban on pedestrians on the Mt. Hope Bridge, local residents and visitors routinely trudge up to the top of the bridge to take in the breath-taking view, only to be escorted off by the police from Bristol or Portsmouth.

But those who want a better look at the bay than a car trip across the bridge can afford will get their chance in a couple weeks when the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority hosts the inaugural Mt. Hope Bridge 5K Road Race.

The 5K walk/run will begin under the bridge on the Portsmouth side, head over the bridge to Bristol, where it will continue through Roger Williams University campus before finishing under the bridge on the Bristol side. Hosted by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority Foundation, and sponsored by Bristol Rotary Club, Century 21 Topsail Realty, and Roger Williams University, the race is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 12, at 7:30 a.m.

“This is an opportunity to run or walk across a historic bridge with a spectacular view of Narragansett and Mt. Hope Bays with over 800 of your closest friends,” said Matt Hayes, publisher of East Bay Newspapers and one of the race’s organizers.

The 5K is based on the Newport Pell Bridge Run, a four-mile race that is in its seventh year. Mr. Hayes and others worked for three years to organize the race and get approval from Bristol and Portsmouth.

“These runs are relatively new. This is the first time on Mt. Hope Bridge,” said Mr. Hayes, noting he plans to participate himself. “I hope I’ll be able to run the whole way.”

Those with similar concerns are still welcome to participate. While there is a race component to the 5K, with prizes to the top three male and female finishers, those who want to take part without pushing themselves to compete are welcome to jog or walk their way across the bridge.

The race is capped at 850 participants, and spots are still available. Registration costs $35 per runner, and all proceeds benefit the Bristol Rotary Club, which will distribute the funds to various charities. Visit mthopebridge5k.com to sign up.

"The Bristol Rotary Club is excited to be part of this historic event, the first road race across the Mt. Hope Bridge," said Mary Jo Tavares, president of the Bristol Rotary Club, in a release. “Proceeds from the Mt. Hope Bridge Road Race will benefit the many local charities supported by Bristol Rotary."

On race day, participants are asked to arrive on the RWU campus at 5:30 a.m. for registration. Shuttles will begin carrying racers across the bridge at 5:50 a.m. ahead of the 7:30 starting gun. One lane of the bridge will be closed to traffic during the race.

For more information, visit mthopebridge5k.com.

Mt. Hope Bridge 5K Road Race, Bristol Rotary

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Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.