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Running: Bridging gap becomes challenge for runners
By JOE SHAFRAN, For The Capital
Might I suggest that if ever you are in the position of having a bridge named after you, give it second thoughts. Bridges seem to end up in controversy of sorts.
Around here, I’m thinking of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge on the Capital Beltway outside Washington. Among others, is the Dover Bridge over the Choptank near Easton, connecting Talbot and Caroline Counties ( it will take only one truck at a time and that’s only if the drawspan doesn’t stick on the open position) and one other - our very own Bay Bridge, named after a former governor (thank goodness they don’t continually drag his name through the mud). I bring this up because, if the cracked concrete and lane switches and rear-enders on the Bay Bridge aren’t enough to cause problems, we are now told by the state that the annual May walk and 10K run are being canceled.
Bridges are starting to fall in the same public relations category as pit bulls and snakeheads.
Until a few days ago, I thought I had two alternatives to the cancellation but that’s now down to one. One would have been the annual Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel walk and bike ride over and under the Chesapeake Bay near Virginia Beach in October. I’m now advised that there’s a good possibility that one also might be canceled, but for lack of public support, not cracked concrete.
So, that leaves us with the only other alternative and this one is actually right here in Annapolis. It’s The Maritime Republic of Eastport’s .05K Bridge Run/Walk in March. This is the one where you have to firmly plant your tongue in your cheek as you run or walk. It’s definitely not part of the Strider’s Championship Series. It’s listed as being over the Eastport Bridge (nee Spa Creek Bridge), newly re-decked, having been done with a few overnight lane closures, and the word out of the MRE is a bit audacious when it lists the body of water that the bridge crosses as Eastport Creek.
Since the Indians lived here, it was called Spa Creek. The race course is described as a slight rise and a slight fall. Walkers, dogs and strollers are permitted. There is a fluid stop half way across and while they say it starts at "the crack o’ noon" on that Saturday, it depends on whether or not the bridge goes up. The race bibs all have the same number, 21403, the Eastport zip code. The Republic has been trying to get the Guiness Book of Records people to list it as the shortest race in the universe, but I am told the book people don’t want any part of it. There is a pace car. The winner usually does it in about 19 seconds. The $15 entry fee that goes for a needy cause is about the only legitimacy in the run.
For the fourth year in a row, your columnist , now in training, will do the run, hoping this year to better his time of 38 unofficial seconds so he can qualify again for the Boston Marathon in April. Visit www.themre.org/dogrun2001.html to sign up.
By the way, the cancellation of our Bay Bridge run has attracted the attention of the D.C. Road Runners, who say if a couple thousand people would sign up, Congress might allow a partial lane closure of the 14th Street Bridge as they do for the Marine Marathon and runners/walkers can cross the beautiful Potomac River.
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If you happen to be in the Anne Arundel County office building in downtown Annapolis or at the Heritage Buildings on Riva Road in the next few weeks, watch out for runners in the stairwells. They have this health promotion going with prizes for walking the steps rather than taking the elevator.
This is the sixth year for the event and last year it attracted about 400 participants according to the coordinator. They have a sign posted, saying that walking the steps for a few weeks is the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest.
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At the finish of the recent 29th annual PSCI Icicle 10-miler in Wilmington, Del., they put out cut-up fresh pineapple, from the eight cases of the fruit that were reported to have fallen off the pineapple truck during unloading at the Port of Wilmington.
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Sorry to hear of the passing recently of 75-year-old Marvin Aasen, of Severna Park, husband of Annapolis Strider publicist Yvonne. He was the patriarch of a running family that included his wife of 52 years, his four sons (Wyatt, Stu, Curt and Will) and daughter Anna, all of whom I saw at the viewing last week that must have been attended by every person who has ever run in this county.
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The Capital sports editor Joe Gross and assistant sports editor Gerry Jackson will be the guests of host Joggin’ Joe Shafran, tomorrow and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., on his Anne Arundel Community College Television show "Let’s Shape Up" that airs on Comcast Channel 99.
Gross and Jackson will talk about what goes into putting out the award winning sports section of The Capital.
The show, which also features physical trainer Sky Canine, will air on Comcast Annapolis at a later date.
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The Annapolis Striders Valentines Day 5K (3.1 mile) race will be held Saturday, Feb. 12 at 10:00 a.m. at Kinder Farm Park, Millersville. Enter online by Monday or on race day from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Jaycees House in the park. Entry fees are $5 online; or $7 on race day. Awards will go to male/female winners in overall, overall masters, and two deep in 5-year age-group categories.
For Annapolis Striders members this is the first race of eight in the 2005 Club Championship Series. All runners welcome. Refreshments of hot cider, fruit and cookies will be served.
Information: 410-268-1165 or www.annapolisstriders.org.
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Running Calendar
Feb. 12: 10 a.m. Kinder Farm Park, Valentine’s Day 5K . First in the Annapolis Striders 2005 Champion Series. Call Ellen McGee 410- 987-8809
Feb. 13: Aberdeen, 8 a.m. RASAC Hinte 10-Mile Championships Tune-up, also a 15K, 410-272-4775 .
Feb.20: 8 a.m. Columbia, Howard Community College 26th Annual RRCA, 10-Mile Club Challenge 410-964-1998.
Feb. 20: 10:30 a.m. Greenbelt Youth Center GW Birthday Marathon and Relay. 703-241-0395.
Feb. 20: Noon. Washington (Jefferson Memorial) Tidal Basin 3K. 703-241-0395.
Feb. 26: 9 a.m. Alexandria, Va., (Belle Haven Park) 25K on the Mount Vernon Trail. 703-241-0395
Feb. 27: 8 a.m., Bel Air. RASAC Fox 5K 410-638-2717
Feb. 27: 11 a.m. Wilmington, Del., Jewish Community Center Snowball Run 5 miler, 302-478-5660
Feb. 27: 1 p.m. Williamsburg, Va., 26th annual Anheuser-Busch Colonial Half Marathon and 3 Mile Run. 767-221-1599
Feb. 27: 2 p.m. Burleigh Manor Middle, Howard County Striders Winter Series 2-Mile and 5- Mile. 410-964-1998
March 19: 8 a.m. Harman’s Park, Hanover. Joe Cannon 5K run and fun walk. Benefits recreation program for special needs scholarship and North Arundel Hospital Oncology Center. 410-222-7311, ext.3554.
April 15: The 12th Dead Sea Ultra Marathon. "Run To The Lowest Point On Earth". 50K, 42K and 21K, Jordan. www.deadseamarathon.com.
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