12^th Annual Lowcountry Splash

  Charleston’s premiere swim event, adds a new option for the 12th Annual Lowcountry Splash – Open Water Swim. 

On June 1, swimmers from around the world can “Getting Under It” in a new way. Organizers have added a 5 mile swim across the Cooper River beginning at Daniel Island.

This is in addition to the original 2.4 mile swim along the Mount Pleasant shoreline, swimming under the Cooper River Bridge and finishing at the Charleston Harbor Marina in front of the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point.

“After 11 successful years of the 2.4 mile swim we decided to present swimmers with a new challenge, our first five-mile swim from Daniel Island where they will meet and finish with the other swimmers,” said Mark Rutledge, Co-Director of the Lowcountry Splash.

This isn’t just an award-winning competitive swim it’s also for charity, as proceeds from the Splash benefit the Logan Rutledge Children’s Foundation.

The local not- for-profit organization established in May of 2002 in memory of Logan Jennings Rutledge (7/30/02-08/26/02).

The foundation supports Lowcountry Aquatic Project Swimming. The LAPS program teaches swimming lessons and water safety to kindergarten and first graders in Charleston County School District’s lowest socioeconomic schools. Our goal is to drown-proof our children.

Swimmers of all levels participate in the Splash: triathletes, recreational lap swimmers and competitive age group swimmers including Olympic swimmers .The Splash continues to grow in popularity attracting swimmers from 34 states and 5 countries.

As always, we combine the best time in the Over Under Challenge between the Bridge Run and the Lowcountry Splash with the Dash and Splash Competition.

To register or for more information visit www.lowcountrysplash.com.

 

2013 TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BRIDGE RUN as told to Cedric Jaggers

 

Once again in Marion Square after the race with 31,458 other race finishers (out of 38,883 entrants).  Of course they weren’t all there at the same time, it just seemed like it.  It was a crisp comfortable morning about 50 degrees for the run and into the low 60s for the post-race mob scene in the Square. The conditions rank among the best ever for any of the 35 Bridge Runs that I’ve run.  Once again as I’ve done almost every year since 1988 I hit each runner with just one request:  that they ‘Tell Me About Your Bridge Run’. I tried to write down EXACTLY what each person said, or perhaps didn’t say.  Listed below in the order it happened (except when I was ambushed by a couple of folks who wanted to ‘Ask Me’).  The interviews were conducted mostly, but not exclusively at the Charleston Running Club tent in the Square.

So here goes.  I did try to ask each person to tell me their time if they didn’t mention it in their response. I’ve added each runner’s chip time and place from the results Burns Computer gave me after the corrections were made to the age groups and posted on www.BridgeRun.Com .  If you want a copy of the complete Chip time computer re-arranged finish order, or Gun time (per USATF rules 245, for purists who want to see the names of those who finished near them in the actual finish order they crossed the line) results just send me an e-mail requesting them:  JaggersRun@Comporium.net

CATHERINE LEMPESIS I finally began training 3 months ago.  I’m retiring this year and truly hoping I can run a little faster.  Ran about 50:25.  I had the flu weeks ago, but today was a perfect day for the race.  Chip time 50:23 place 2,475^th.

BILL BOULTER It met my expectations.  When I started out racing I did seem a little overdressed.  Same time as last year, about 1:04. Chip time 1:04:23 place 12,180^th

STEVE GRIFFIN I was trying to race as fast as Bill Boulter (who was standing next to him and said “No you weren’t”) and couldn’t do it.  No, I was trying to get under 44 but had a cramp and had to stop.  I didn’t get it (wanted time), but I’ll get it next year.  About 45:57.  Chip time 45:57 place 1,067^th.

CEDRIC JAGGERS (Ken Bible took the clipboard from my hand and got this – the first of two people to do so):  Better than expected.  Expected the worst and got a little better.  About 56:48.

STEVE ANNAN  A good run.  I had a great run, the weather was fantastic.  Ran a little over 44 and some change.  I felt good, lucky to do it.  Chip time 44:06, place 714^th.

ANN ELISH  Given the shape I’m in I’m happy.  This is like the old times except for 40,000 people instead of 1,000.  I was very impressed with the race today.  Chip Time 48:27 place 1,759

GARY RICKER  Bridge Run number 34 for me.  I enjoyed it.  I felt my age, but it was an enjoyable run.  The wind was not a factor and I felt semi-decent the whole way.  I broke last year’s time.  I was about 45, 45:21 Chip time 45:15, 926^th place.

BILL ROWELL  The best weather in recent history that I’ve seen.  I beat last year by over a minute.  Still not a P.R. for the Bridge.  Number 9 Bridge Run for me.  42 and change.  Chip time 42:48, 541st place.

MIKE CHODNICKI  I drove the lead truck again this year.  The race was over after 3 miles.  The leader pulled away, he ran the 4^th mile in 4:19 by himself.  From mile 2 to the finish, he was ahead.

BENJAMIN WHITENER  My first Bridge Run that I ran with my wife.    Ran in a huge pack even paced, ran in huge pack had a great time, held pace.  Had a great time and helped with pacing. My 8^th or 9^th.  Chip time 57:42 place 7,051^st

MYRA WHITENER  It was great.  A P.R. time for me 57:33.  9:06 first mile, then up the Bridge slowed down.  8 something down the Bridge.  I was very happy.  Last year I did it in 1:01.  Chip time 57:41 place 7,032^nd .

APRIL CAMPBELL             This is my second year.  This year was much better.  If anybody got discouraged last year – give it another try.  I felt great and enjoyed people cheering us on.  I ran like an hour seven – much better than last year.  Chip time 1:07:13 place 14,205^th .

CHRISTINE KINNEY  It was very good, very even.  I felt like I could have run 6 more miles.  Could have used warmer weather, but no doughnuts.  Chip time 1:05:24, place 12, 891^st

SHAWN JESSIE  My first Bridge Run.  Had a really good time.  Everything seemed to work real well and finish well.  Slightly crowded in some area but you expect that.  Plan to do it next year.  Chip time 57:23, place 6,826^th .

BOB SCHLAU  No comment.  I had knee surgery, 2 torn meniscus and they had to take arthritis out.  Hoping I’ll be able to run it next year.  I’ve been running 51 years, ran my first race when I was 14 in Junior High School – an 80 yard dash.  I mostly had to walk today.  I jogged  to Shem Creek from the start, but then had to walk.  I told myself I’d give myself a pass this year to walk, just to keep the streak (Bob has run every bridge run and was 2^nd overall in 1979. CJ).  Next year I hope to be running – if I can’t I’ll say I’ll let it go.  I ran the first few meters so I could say I ran some.  It’s an interesting experience to be walking back in the crowd, but not one I’d want to repeat.  The good thing is I had no pre-race jitters.  Chip time 1:44:42, place 26,236^th

TAMI DENNIS Very pleased.  My goal was to break 50 and I did.  After 9 weeks of not running due to stress fractures.  I was more worried about mental than physical.  I didn’t run the Bridge Run at all in training.  There was my first major injury in 37 years of running.  Time? 49:15.  Chip time 49:34, place 2,125^th .

DAN CLAPPER  Beat my Flowertown – now called Shamrock time.  Better time due to tail wind.  I always do better. My 29^th.  I felt good the whole time, back pain but it’s not bad.  I had to push – I could never catch him.  47:41.  Chip time 47:36, place 1,480^th.

RIVES POE   I started but had to drop out at Houston-Northcutt about one mile in.  Sharp pain in the ankle.  DNF  (Note:  She had a large ice pack around her ankle.  CJ)

CEDRIC JAGGERS (Rives took the clipboard from my hand and said she had to keep her string of interviewing me after the race, so here’s what she wrote down):  I’m happy with what I got.  Since I had the Norovirus I’m really happy to have broken an hour.  I couldn’t believe I had to walk going up the Bridge twice.  But I did.  I was glad to finish my 35^th Bridge Run in a row. Chip time 56:40, place 6,238^th.

JILL PELLERIN Okay.  A minute faster than last year, because last year I had to wear somebody else’s shoes.  I walked on the other side of the Bridge.   Right on what I thought I would do.  I’ve gained weight and still happy I could move my body.  About 1:05 or 1:04:50.  For not having training I was happy.  Chip time 1:05:12, place 12,738^th .

BETSY RIVERS  Walked away covering her mouth.  Then she said “I won’t”.  When pressed she presented a familiar hand gesture usually reserved for unpleasant situations. When pressed again, she gave me a thumbs down and said “Raspberry.”  I was unable to find her in the results.  CJ

STEVEN HUNT  Better than last year and under my goal time of 60 minutes.  Perfect conditions.  That’s it.  Chip time 57:03, place 6,526^th.

SCOTT BATES  It seemed much steeper and longer than last year.  It was okay.  Thank God the music was there and I had some friends who slowed down and ran with me.  So kudos to Amanda.   Chip time 58:55, place 8,017^th.

ANNE BOONE  Well it was a lot better than I’d thought it would be.  52:52.  Perfect day.  For being out of shape I did great. Chip time 52:59, place 3,800^th

NANCY CURRY  Well I beat Anne Boone which is always an accomplishment.  Want to thank my . . . .(I cut her off and reminded her to tell me about her bridge run)  I did as well as I expected to. . . I’m not injured.  I felt good, no excuses, must have placed well, but I messed up my watch.  A beautiful Bridge Run day.  A little over 51.  Chip time 50:43, place 2,645^th.

KEITH AMBROSE  Don’t even talk to me, no I’m hanging in there.  Today was torture.  This is the worst I’ve ever run the bridge.  I couldn’t breathe.  I knew it was getting to me having trouble in mile 5. I’ve hit the 70 age group.  Had to walk a lot.  I’ thinking of hanging it up.  There must be something in the atmosphere that’s not good, I saw some other people have breathing problems too.  Chip time 1:07:30, place 14,384^th .

DARI SHANLEY-PENNINGTON  I loved it, kept a pretty consistent pace it was kind of competent.  Started with some friends but finished by myself because I ran ahead.  My time 1:19.  With the amount of congestion ahead of me – I know I could have done better, but I’ll take what I can get.  Chip time 1:19:34, place 20,384^th.

TAY BEST It was my first Bridge Run.  I ran with my girlfriend and we ran as a team.  It was a great experience and I would do it again.  The whole time I felt good.  I trained hard and felt good the whole way.  I’ll be back.  No idea what my time was, maybe about an hour.  Chip time 1:30:55, place 23,422^nd.

ALICIA SMALLS  My third year doing it and I had to work through a knee injury and it slowed me down.  I hope to come back better and stronger next year.  And I’m proud of myself.  Chip time 1:30:55, place 23,420^th.

 

Sail Charleston – Sailing for Everyone

CHARLESTON, SC (April 8, 2013)—Ever wondered what sailing might be like? Want a chance to find out? Then check out Sail Charleston a free, one-day exhibition of sailing for non-sailors. On Saturday, April 20 at the Charleston Maritime Center, you can learn all you need to know about sailing opportunities in Charleston.

From 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. that day, you’ll be able to meet and talk with representatives from local yacht clubs, sailing associations and sailing-oriented businesses. You can also check out a variety of boats from single-person dinghies to world cruising yachts, and get a variety of giveaways such as hats and bags.

And, if you’d like to get out on the water that day, for a nominal fee of $10/person you can take a short tour of the harbor and check out the exciting racing action of Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week – the largest regatta of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Right here in Charleston Harbor, 300 sailboats with competitors from all across the U.S. and from 15 countries around the world will be competing.

A few of the organizations and businesses that will be on hand at Sail Charleston include:

Charleston Community Sailing (junior and adult sailing programs)
College of Charleston Sailing Association (adult sailing programs and rentals)
Sayre Sailing (retailer of small sailboats and performance sailing gear)
St. Barths Yachts (sailboat dealer)
Charleston Yacht Club (one of the area’s five yacht clubs)

Sail Charleston is an adjunct event of Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week and is organized by volunteers from Charleston Ocean Racing Association. The association’s goal is to promote the fun and camaraderie of sailing and make it available to anyone who might be interested. So come on out to the Charleston Maritime Center on Saturday, April 20 and find out what sailing is all about.

WHAT: Sail Charleston – a one day exhibition of sailing opportunities in Charleston.
WHERE: The Charleston Maritime Center (10 Wharfside St., right near the South Carolina Aquarium)
WHEN: Saturday, April 20 (from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
WHY: Because sailing is one of the most fun sports you can do in Charleston.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.sailcharleston.org

 

Bridge Run forecast and weather records from my FB friend James Lewis Free at NOAA:

Saturday’s Cooper River Bridge Run weather forecast:

Sun galore.

Saturday morning low temperature 47.

8:00 a.m. temperature 51 (just slightly cooler the ideal running temp of 56 degrees: DQ)

Noon temperature 59,

Winds NE 10 to 15 mph (tailwind across bridge) … This will be only the second time a NE wind is forecast for the bridge race since the Ravenel Bridge opened in July 2005.

If the low temperature forecast drops a tad – it would be the coldest bridge run since 1999.

Elite Numbers Male

1.   Simon Ndirangu, 27, Kenya

2.   Linus Chuma, 32, Kenya

3    Julius Kogo, 27, Kenya

4    Bobby Mack, 28, Raleigh, NC  USA

5

6    Benard Langat, 30, Kenya

7    Andrew Carlson, 30, Minnesota, USA

8    Robert Wambua, 23, Kenya

9    Macdonard Ondara, 28, Kenya

10   Zachary Hine, 25, Colorado USA

11   Michael Chaves, 27, Colorado  USA

12   Tibor Vegh, 29, North Carolina USA

13   Antony Gitau, 42, Kenya

14   Philip Mosima, 36, Kenya

15   Emanuel Bor, 24, Kenya

16   Malcolm Campbell, 42,  Georgia  USAd

17   Eric Ashton, 45, South Carolina  USA

18   Vitaliy Byelovol, 42, Ukraine

19   Vladimir Tontchi, 45, Belguim

20   Brian Johnson, 37    Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

21   Michael Green,36, Alabama  USA

22   Mike Seekings, 53    Charleston, South Carolina

23   Elly Sang, 22, Kenya

24   Richard Kandie, 28, Kenya

25

26

27   Jay Upchurch, 35     James Island, South Carolina

28   Tamás Kovács, 29, Hungary

29   Michael Banks, 26     Charleston, South Carolina

30   David Huckaby, 24     No Charleston, South Carolina

31   Matt Henderson, 24     Boiling Springs, South Carolina

32   Elija Muturi, 31, Kenya

33   Julius Bor, 26, Kenya

34   Edward Tabut, 29, Kenya

35   Karl Walsh, 37   Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

36   Brett Lee Morley, 20   Landrum, South Carolina

37   Ovidiu Olteanu, 42, Romania

38  Philippe Giguere, 43, Canada

39  Gilbert Okari, 35, Kenya

40   Philip Mburu, 25, Kenya

41  Joseph Ekuom, 44, Kenya

42

43

44

45

46

47

48   Tom Mather, 55, Charleston, South Carolina

49   Bob Schlau, 65     Charleston,  South Carolina

54   Christian Bailey, 23     Charleston, South Carolina

55   Irv Batten, 49     Summerville, South Carolina

56

57   Tyler Cross, 30     Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

65   Jeff Baxter, 36     No. Charleston, South Carolina

66

67   Eric Hanson, 40    Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

68

69   Greg Brown, 44,    Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

70   Craig Coon, 24    Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

74   Orinthal Striggles, 37    Elgin, South Carolina

75   Marc Embler, 55,      No. Charleston,   South Carolina

76    Richard Banning, 60      Altamonte Springs, Florida

80   Jerry Clark, 60      Charlotte, North Carolina

Elite Numbers Female

101     F1   (THE BRIDGE RUN OFFICE LOST THIS NUMBER.) Was supposed to be Hiwott Ayalew who is now # 8.

102     F2   Jane Murage, 25, Kenya

103     F3   Lindsey Scherf, 26, Chapel Hill, NC

104     F4   Atalelech Asfaw, 29, Albuquerque, NM

105     F5   Aziza Aliyu, 28, Ethiopia

106     F6   Allison Grace Morgan, 30, Lexington, KY

107     F7   Alevtina Ivanova, 37, Russia

108     F8   Hiwott Ayalew, 23, Ethiopia

109     F9   Mary Kate Champagne, 23, New York

110     F10   Sofia Shemsu, 18, Ethiopia

111     F11   Ilona Barvanova, 40, Ukraine

112     F12   Hirut Beyene Guangul, 20, Ethiopia

113     F13

114     F14   Liubov Denisova, 41, Russia

115     F15   Rives Poe, 34    Charleston, South Carolina

116     F16   Kristina Vegh, 29, Cary, NC

117     F17   Tatyana Byelovol, 42, Ukraine

118     F18   Joan Tangwar, 23, Kenya

119     F19

120     F20   Denisa Costescu, 37, Romania

121     F21   Simegn Abnet, 26, Ethiopia

122     F22   Caitlin Ranson, 27   Charleston, South Carolina

123     F23   Olga Romanova, 32, Russia

124     F24   Divina Jepkogei, 28, Kenya

125     F25   Firaya Sultanova-Zhdanova, 51, Russia

126     F26   Lisa Tolley, 46   Seneca, South Carolina

127     F27   Elena Orlova, 43, Russia

128     F28

129     F29   Michelle LaFleur, 40, Savannah, Georgia

130     F30  Erin Taylor, 30, Arlington, Virgina

131     F31   Aimee Fransen, 29, Jacksonville, Florida

132     F32   Alice Rogers, 34, Charlotte, NC

133     F33   Katherine Logemann, 30   Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

134     F34   Anne Clinton, 30, Indianapolis, Indiana

135     F35   Laurie Knowels, 35 Charlotte, North Carolina

136     F36   Sue O’Malley, 52

137     F37   Susi Smith, 53   Greenville, South Carolina

138     F38   Kathryn Ashton, 31, Columbia, SC

139     F39   Emily Johnson, 33, Mt Pleasant, SC                   ENTER

143     F43   Catherine Lempesis, 61   Irmo, South Carolina

144     F44   Caitlin Schier, 29    Charleston, South Carolina

165     F65    Ruth Marie Embler, 55   No. Charleston, South Carolina