Neuse River Bridge Run helps bridge gaps in our community

Neuse River Bridge Run 2021

Trent Woods neighbors, adults and children, lace up your running shoes for fun, exercise and a worthy cause! For over 15 years, the Neuse River Bridge Run (NRBR) has been uniting runners, walkers, volunteers and sponsors – all to support seven important nonprofits in our community.

Due to COVID-19 health concerns and state and city safety mandates, the NRBR must proceed this year without in-person race events. But that is not stopping the fun or our mission. The Bridge Run Committee (the seven nonprofit organizations) is proceeding with virtual and challenge run/walk events for March 18-28, 2021. Sadly, our 2020 Run had to be canceled at the very last minute, also due to COVID-19. Despite all their work organizing and promoting the Run last year, our nonprofits received no funding. Obviously, it is vitally important that we make every effort to meet our fundraising goals in 2021.

Even though runners and walkers cannot cross our beautiful bridge this year, we have exciting virtual Runs and Run/Walk Challenges, including our SuperKids Fun Run.

WHEN: March 18 – March 28, 2021

WHERE: Any place you chose

You decide where and when you would like to run/walk between the dates of March 18 and March 28, 2021.

Please note: The Neuse River Bridge is not open to pedestrian traffic. To keep the bridge in your run, we suggest that you find a bridge or bridges in your neighborhood that would be safe to incorporate in your route.

RACE REGISTRATION: www.bridgerun.org

EVENT DESCRIPTION: Virtual Races

A virtual run/race is a one goal activity. For the 2021 Neuse River Bridge Run we are offering four virtual race events, the 5K, the 10K the Half Marathon and the SuperKids Fun Run. Participants select a date and time between March 18 and March 28, select a course, run your race, and submit your results.

If you are already registered for an in-person event and your registration has been converted to a virtual registration as per our policy, you may change from a virtual run registration to the 10K or Half Marathon Challenge events.

EVENT DESCRIPTION: Virtual Challenges

A Challenge consists of activities over time, with an overall goal to complete a distance over time. The Neuse River Bridge Run is offering two challenge events in the longer distances for 2021, a 10k Challenge and a Half Marathon Challenge.

In a challenge event, participants endeavor to reach a goal over a period of time. For our 10k and Half Marathon Challenges you can walk or run the complete distance in segments, over time, from March 18 to March 28, 2021. The activities can be tallied to show the total progress over time. For example, let’s say you chose the 10K, you might divide the distance into 10 segments and walk/run every day until you have completed the Half Marathon distance.

Events

Half Marathon – Virtual Run

(Race kit to include: NRBR T-Shirt, custom mask, Half Marathon participation medal)

Half Marathon – Virtual Challenge

(Race kit to include: NRBR T-Shirt, custom mask, Half Marathon participation medal)

10K – Virtual Run

(Race kit to include: NRBR T-Shirt, custom mask)

10K – Virtual Challenge

(Race kit to include: NRBR T-Shirt, custom mask)

5K – Virtual Run

(Race kit to include: NRBR T-Shirt, custom mask)

SuperKids Fun Run

(Race kit to include: NRBR Fun Run T-Shirt, participation medal and Fun Run sponsor goody bag)

Timing

Runners utilizing the RaceJoy app can submit times automatically via the RaceJoy app. Runners not using the RaceJoy app should go to https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/50816 and choose the option to “Submit Virtual Results” at the top of the page.

A bib with a timing chip is not required this year since the races will be held virtually.

Teams

Teams of 10 or more participants will receive a $5 discount. To utilize this discount, teams should register online at runtheeast.com. Once the 10th team member registers, the first 9 members will automatically receive the discount back to their original payment method.

SuperKids Fun Run Information

The Kid’s Fun Run will be virtual, any place, anytime, and goody bags can be mailed. But if you like, you may pre-register and bring your kids to:

YMCA on Saturday, March 20 anytime between 2-4 pm or

Trent Woods Cottle Park (608 River Road) on Saturday, March 27 from 2-4 pm

At these locations, registered children can participate in suggested activities and pick up their race t-shirts and goody bags. When registering online, sign up your children in the 15- minute time slots to ensure social distancing. And please feel free to share photos on our Facebook page. Hope to “see” you and your kids there!

Awards

As participants in virtual events run different courses at different times, and all experience a variety of course and weather conditions, we will not be awarding place awards/medals for this year’s run. Half Marathon participates will receive a participation medal for their efforts in our most difficult distance.

In addition, this year’s events will include VIRTUAL RACES! This will allow participants to support our cause, even if they can’t join us physically at the events.

The NRBR benefits eight organizations that bring concrete and important value and advocacy to and for residents of Carteret, Craven, Onslow, Pamlico and Jones Counties. The member organizations for NRBR 2021 are:

Visit www.BridgeRun.org for more information.

By Hannah Mitchell and Jennifer Baer, Marketing Committee, Neuse River Bridge Run