Thousands of runners and walkers will flood the streets of Mount Pleasant and Charleston this Saturday as the Cooper River Bridge Run marks its 49th year, bringing one of the Southeast’s most celebrated foot races back to the iconic Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

The 6.2-mile course draws participants from across the country, from serious competitors chasing personal records to casual walkers who simply want to cross that finish line on East Bay Street. With race day approaching, training sessions have picked up along the Lowcountry’s waterfront paths, parks, and neighborhoods as participants squeeze in final preparations.

The race’s unofficial motto, “get over it,” captures the spirit of the challenge. The bridge’s twin diamond towers rise 575 feet above the Cooper River, and the climb to the summit tests even experienced runners. For first-timers, the ascent can be humbling. For veterans, it’s a familiar rite of spring.

Registration numbers for the 49th running reflect the event’s enduring appeal. The race consistently ranks among the largest 10K events in the United States, drawing tens of thousands of registered participants when accounting for both competitive runners and the broader walking field.

Local running clubs have reported increased attendance at group training sessions over the past several weeks. Physical therapists and sports medicine professionals along the peninsula have noted a corresponding uptick in patients seeking advice on preventing common race-day injuries, particularly knee strain and shin splints that can come from the bridge’s steep grade.

Race organizers have coordinated with Charleston and Mount Pleasant city officials on road closures and traffic management, a logistical undertaking that reshapes commutes across the peninsula for much of Saturday morning. Participants traveling from outside the region have been advised to plan for limited parking and to use designated shuttle services.

The Cooper River Bridge Run holds a particular place in Lowcountry culture. Founded in 1978, the race predates the current Ravenel Bridge by more than two decades, having originally crossed the older Grace and Pearman bridges before the new span opened in 2005. That history gives the event a generational quality. Parents who ran in the 1990s now register alongside their children.

Beyond the athletic competition, the race functions as a civic gathering. Spectators line the Mount Pleasant approach and the Charleston finish area, and local businesses along King Street and East Bay typically see strong foot traffic in the hours after runners cross the finish line.

For competitive runners, Saturday’s 10K offers a chance to test fitness heading into the spring racing season. The bridge’s elevation profile makes a flat personal record unlikely, but many use the race as a benchmark for overall conditioning.

The walking division has grown steadily over the years and now represents a substantial portion of total participants. Organizers have historically staged walkers in separate corrals to manage the flow of tens of thousands of people across the bridge’s pedestrian lanes.

Weather forecasts will matter considerably on Saturday. Spring conditions along the Cooper River can shift quickly. A headwind on the bridge climb adds measurable difficulty, while clear skies and moderate temperatures tend to produce faster times across the field.

Packet pickup has been underway at the Charleston Area Convention Center, where participants collect their race bibs and timing chips. The expo attached to packet pickup draws sponsors and vendors and gives first-time participants a chance to get race-day logistics sorted before the early morning start.

City officials and race organizers have urged participants to arrive early given the expected crowds. The bridge itself will be closed to vehicle traffic for a stretch of the morning, a closure that requires coordination with the South Carolina Department of Transportation.

For many Charleston-area residents, the Cooper River Bridge Run is simply a marker of the season. The race signals that spring has arrived, and the sight of thousands of runners cresting the Ravenel Bridge’s peak has become as familiar to the Lowcountry as the smell of pluff mud at low tide.

The 49th running begins Saturday morning. The 50th, and the milestone celebration that will inevitably accompany it, is already one year away.