Sunday is the inaugural 10K Across the Bay Bridge Race! Here are some fun facts about the Chesapeake Bay Bridge:
- The Bay Bridge is actually the William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge, named after former Maryland Governor William Preston Lane, Jr, who started its construction.
- The original bridge span was 4.3 miles long and was the world's longest continuous over-water steel structure. The original span opened in 1952 while the parallel span was added in 1973.
- The bridge spans the Chesapeake Bay, connecting Maryland's eastern and western shores. It is nearly 5 miles long.
- The Bay Bridge is 186 feet high at its highest point.
- It is one of the world's scariest bridges. According to Travel & Leisure magazine, "Drivers are notoriously afraid of this bridge, as it’s subjected to frequent—and often violent—storms. And when the bad weather hits, forget about visibility: get to the middle of this five-mile-long bridge and you can barely see land."
- Even though the Bay Bridge is one of the scariest bridges in the world, it has only been closed four times because of extreme weather. September 18, 2003 during Hurricane Isabel; August 27, 2011 for Hurricane Irene; Oct 29, 2012 for Hurricane Sandy and on March 6, 2013 for the very windy March 2013 nor'easter.
Don't worry, Sunday's weather forecast is just about perfect: high of 55 degrees with winds only at 9 mph (the bridge has been closed when winds reach 55 mph or more). If you are running the 2014 Bridge Race, please stop by the Holabird Sports expo area, pick up your Mystery Gift Card (value up to $100) and say hello! Simply mention the Virtual Race Bag ad at the Holabird Sports tent to receive your gift card; however, don't wait too long, supplies are limited.