Do you know where the yellow bus is? Are the buses on the bridge yet? All of us who have run the 7 Mile Bridge Run have uttered those words. It is a footrace on one of the world's longest bridges that connects the mainland to the Florida Keys. The race started in 1982 and spans the channel between Key Vaca and Little Duck Key and is run entirely over the water. The competition is limited to the first 1,500 runners whose fees are received via the US Mail somewhat like a postal lottery. Supposedly the Marathon Runners Club receives ten times the applications for the race. It's a one-of-a-kind scenic run over water with a touch of Discovery Channel's Planet Earth. During previous runs on the bridge I have spotted huge pods of dolphins, schools of barracuda, magnificent manta and eagle rays, turtles and ofcourse an assortment of sea birds. There is no other roadrace like it!This year I was one of lucky 1,500 entrants along with my sister Carolina, family friend Rosemary (both from the Rome Marathon hall of fame) and the latest addition to the group our friend Nancy. We have run marathons and half marathons but the 7 Mile Bridge Run is unique. Unique in a sense that runners have one hour and 30 minutes to traverse the bridge and "beat the bus". All traffic to and from the mainland is obviously interrupted, as there is no alternate route. So this is where the famous "yellow bus" comes into the scenario. If you can't keep up the pace then you are picked up and transported to the finish line. There is no discussion about being picked up. The Monroe County Sheriff's Department run a tight bridge and even post a sheriff on the bus for those who refuse to be picked up or think they can outrun the bus to the finish line.
So why do it? To say you "beat the bus" plus the run really is an extraordinary roadrace over the water. Besides that the shirt is always a keeper and the finisher's medal and button are an added memento. For those of you wondering if any of us got picked up by the bus, well to paraphrase the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld, "No bus for you!".
Now that summer is approaching the running season is coming to an end for us in South Florida. However we have a new race in our plans and that will be the Disney World Half-Marathon in January 2008. Instead of the fantastic four, we will be the fabulous five now that my cousin Francesca has decided to join us for the Disney Half Marathon. I don't mean on the sideline, Francesca will be there with us to claim her medal. I must say the Disney World medals are quite spectacular and I heard Chip 'n Dale actually hand out the medals.
Stay tuned for more roadrace insights, tips and a heat advisory for the summer. Plus blogging on the best beach in the Florida Keys and what is considered the best trail in New York's Central Park for that early morning workout.
-Angie of "the Bridge"
p.s.- Don't forget to check our my fitness tips at Self-size.com.
