Charleston and Mount Pleasant residents should plan alternate routes this weekend as the 2026 Cooper River Bridge Run brings tens of thousands of runners to the Lowcountry and triggers widespread road closures across both cities.

Race Director Irv Batten confirmed that 37,000 participants had registered for this year’s event as of Wednesday, a number that reflects the run’s continued status as one of the largest 10K races in the country. With that many runners moving through the area, the footprint of traffic disruptions will be significant, touching major corridors on both sides of the Cooper River.

Road closures begin early on race day, with authorities urging drivers to account for delays well before the starting gun fires. The route crosses the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which will be closed to vehicle traffic during the race, cutting off one of the primary connections between Charleston and Mount Pleasant. Drivers who routinely use the bridge to commute or run errands will need to find alternative crossings, including Interstate 526 and U.S. Highway 17, though both are expected to see heavier than normal traffic during the closure window.

In Charleston, closures will affect roads in and around the downtown peninsula, where runners finish the course. Streets in the upper peninsula and areas near the finish line will be staged for pedestrian and runner access only during peak race hours. Residents in those neighborhoods should expect limited vehicle access to their blocks for several hours Saturday morning.

In Mount Pleasant, roads near the start line will also close to accommodate the staging of 37,000 participants, support vehicles, timing equipment, and medical personnel. The sheer logistics of moving that many runners to the start area requires a significant ground operation, and traffic management begins before most residents are awake.

City and county officials have worked with race organizers to coordinate law enforcement presence and traffic management at key intersections throughout the route. Residents and visitors are encouraged to check the race’s official website and local traffic advisories for specific street names and closure times, as some closures are staggered depending on the wave start schedule.

Parking will also be affected. Several municipal lots and street parking areas near the finish line will be reserved for race operations or restricted entirely. Visitors coming to watch the race or attend post-run festivities should expect to park several blocks away and walk, or use available shuttle services.

The Cooper River Bridge Run has operated as a major civic and economic event in the Charleston region for decades. Hotels across the peninsula and in Mount Pleasant book out months in advance. Restaurants and businesses near the finish line corridor on East Bay Street see some of their heaviest foot traffic of the year during race weekend. That economic activity comes with a cost in coordination, and city staff invest considerable time planning the public safety and logistics operation that makes the event work.

For residents who simply need to get somewhere Saturday morning, the advice from organizers and city staff is consistent: leave earlier than you think you need to, or plan to travel after the bulk of runners have cleared the bridge and downtown streets. The race typically moves through its main phases during the morning hours, and most major closures are lifted by early afternoon.

Anyone with medical needs, scheduled appointments, or time-sensitive travel on Saturday should contact relevant parties in advance and flag the road closure situation. Emergency access corridors will remain open throughout the event, and law enforcement will be present to manage any urgent vehicle needs.

Full road closure schedules and route maps are available through the race’s official channels and through Charleston County’s public communications office. Residents are also encouraged to follow the city of Charleston and town of Mount Pleasant on their official social media accounts, which typically push real-time traffic updates on race morning.

The 2026 Cooper River Bridge Run takes place this Saturday. Organizers say the 37,000-runner field makes this one of the stronger registration years in recent memory.