3,000 expected for Double Bridge Run

The 13th Annual Double Bridge Run is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6. Now in its 13th year, the race is expanding to add an expo, and a renowned speaker.

Running legend Dick Beardsley will be a guest speaker at 5:30 PM Friday, Feb. 5, the evening before the run at the Hilton Gulf Front Pensacola Beach.

Last year’s champions, Amy Rudolph and James Carney will be returning to defend their titles. Other elite athletes, Jennifer Hanley-Pinto, Kara Storage, Tara Storage, and Michael Green will be sure to make the finish exciting.

Currently, participants are coming from 31 different states and from Canada. Approximately 3,000 participants are expected.

Last year, 2,600 runners participated in the Double Bridge Run.

“We have more runners this year, and more of them are from out of town,” Olliff said.

The Double Bridge Run is a 15K run that begins in Pensacola on South Palafox Street at Plaza de Luna, crosses the Pensacola Bay Bridge and the Bob Sikes Bridge and finishes on Pensacola Beach.

“A group of almost 2,000 Marines will leave the 5K start at 7 a.m. to clear the course for the 15K runners,” said Janet Olliff of the Pensacola Sports Association. “Then they are going to line the finish line.”

There is also a 5K Run/Walk that begins in Gulf Breeze at the Gulf Breeze High School stadium and finishes on Pensacola Beach.

Packet pick-up and late registration will be held at the Pensacola Beach Hilton on Thursday from 4 - 9 pm and on Friday from noon - 8 pm.

The expo will have different vendors selling running wear, sponsors will have booths set up and other races will have sign up opportunities there. The expo is occurring during packet pickup.

Call the Pensacola Sports Association at 434-2800 or go to www.pensacolasports.com.

For questions regarding the Double Bridge Run, please contact the Pensacola Sports Association at 434-2800 or jolliff@pensacolasports.com.

INFORMATION

¦ What: Double Bridge
Run and 5K
¦ When: Saturday
beginning at 7 a.m.
¦ Where: Pensacola to
Pensacola Beach
Quietwater Boardwalk
¦ Phone: 434-2800