Sometimes it’s scary driving over the Sunshine Skyway, but have you ever considered crossing it on foot?
Well now you can at the Skyway 10K on March 4, 2018. It’s the first-ever race across the bridge since the new one opened in 1987.
- First-ever Skyway 10k race planned for March 4, 2018
- Proceeds go to the Armed Forces Family Foundation
- Northbound lanes of Skway to be closed from 4-10 a.m.
- To register, click here
"This bridge is one of a kind. It’s currently ranked the number three bridge in the world according to the Travel Channel,” James Judge, Spokesman for the Armed Forces Family Foundation, said. “We have no doubt that this will become an iconic annual bridge run that will not only attract people from the state of Florida, it should attract people throughout the nation and internationally."
The participants will be running for a good cause: 100% of the race’s proceeds will go to the Armed Forces Family Foundation.
"With this race we are hoping to raise around $500,000,” Judge said. “Currently the Armed Forces Family Foundation to date has given $2 million back towards different projects to help military families."
Runners will be bussed from Tropicana Field to the south end of the bridge. The run will begin on I-275 at the rest area just south of the bridge and end at the rest area at the north side of the bridge, which is 10 kilometers or 6.2 miles. The runners will then be bussed back to Tropicana Field for the awards.
Organizers are currently trying to work out a way for family and friends to watch the race on monitors from a spectating area at Tropicana Field.
The Skyway bridge spans Manatee, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties.
The northbound lanes of the Skyway will be closed on race day between 4-10 a.m.
"A lot of research went into this to find a time that wouldn’t dramatically impact more Bay Area traffic than necessary,” St. Steve Gaskins with Florida Highway Patrol, said. “So all the components are in place and a lot of work has been done to make sure it’s a safe event and an efficient event for a very good cause."
The race is being capped at 7,000 participants, though in the following years that number is expected to increase.