More than 300 adults and children gathered downtown at the Isabel Holmes Bridge for the fourth annual NewBridge Bank Bridge to Bridge Run on Thursday, June 11 at 7 p.m. The 4-mile course took participants through historic downtown Wilmington to the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. The event also included a 1-mile walk. Race proceeds funded student-athlete scholarships at Cape Fear Community College.
“It was really a great success,” said Zach Hunt, account executive for Go Time, the race’s organizer. “Overall, it was a safe, successful event. No one got hurt.”
Hunt served as a liaison between the CFCC race directors and city officials. He also helped plan the race logistics.
Robert McGee, CFCC athletic director, started the race three years ago. McGee said the previous three events raised $15,000 each for student-athlete scholarships.
“Full tuition is $1,000. Money goes a long way at CFCC,” he said.
McGee said the funds raised from the 2014 event provided scholarships for 15 athletes, and he estimates this year’s race will support 15-20 athletes.
“Our race director was Chris Lidert. … He did an excellent job. Participation was up a little bit and donors were up a little bit, so hopefully we’ll hit $20,000,” McGee said.
McGee said last year’s event had 280 registered participants and this year’s had 350.
“We’ll push for 400 next year,” he said.
McGee is already planning next year’s race.
“We’re going to continue to do it in June,” he said.
McGee said having a race after the end of the spring semester is convenient for the students, and it’s a good reason for them to continue running during the summer.
“It’s an opportunity to get fit,” he said.
McGee said the course’s hills and the June heat make the race challenging.
“It’s not an easy course,” he said. “It’s not a 5K. It’s a 4-mile race.”
Despite the race’s challenges, McGee has not considered changing the course.
“Bridge-to-bridge is our signature,” he said.
McGee said the difficulties of planning Bridge to Bridge are worth awarding some of the college’s 130 student-athletes with scholarships.
The two fastest runners in each age group, and the fastest team, were awarded prizes, such as T-shirts and koozies.
Jack Brunecz was the first runner to cross the finish line of the 4-mile course with a time of 22:45, followed by Erik Wendt at 23:25.
Seven-year-olds Owen Alford and Christian Miller were the youngest males to complete the race.
Kim Mueller was the first female to cross the finish line at 25:27.
Josette Behm, age 8, was the youngest female to finish the race.
The 1-mile race also attracted young runners. David Mullaney, age 11, placed first overall with a time of 5:53, followed by 10-year-old Beckett Kantrowtiz at 5:56.
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