The Cooper River Bridge Run returned to the Lowcountry on March 28, 2026, bringing its usual mix of elite competition, local pride, and festival like energy to the streets of Mount Pleasant and downtown Charleston. With tens of thousands of runners and walkers crossing the Ravenel Bridge at sunrise, the event once again proved why it’s one of the largest and most celebrated 10Ks in the United States.

Race morning delivered near ideal conditions, cool temperatures with a noticeable breeze across the bridge that added just enough challenge to keep things interesting. From seasoned elites chasing prize money to first time participants simply aiming to finish, the field was as diverse as ever, unified by the shared experience of “getting over it.”

At the front of the pack, Kenya’s Edwin Kurgat claimed the men’s elite title, continuing the strong tradition of international dominance at the event. While his exact finishing time has not yet been widely published in early reports, his performance secured a decisive victory against a competitive field of professional runners.

On the women’s side, official winner details and finishing times are still being finalized in publicly available reports, but as in years past, the elite race featured a fast, tightly contested finish among top international competitors.

In the wheelchair division, Fidel Arnoldo Aguilar Zepeda took home the win, celebrating his first victory at the event. His performance set the tone early in the morning, kicking off a full day of racing across all divisions.

Beyond the elite results, the real story of the Bridge Run remains the thousands of participants who fill the course each year. From competitive runners chasing personal records to groups in costume and families walking together, the race continues to embody Charleston’s unique blend of athleticism and community spirit. The climb up the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge remains the defining moment, equal parts challenge and reward, before runners descend into downtown Charleston greeted by cheering crowds and a lively finish festival.

As always, the 2026 race wasn’t just about times and placements it was about the experience. The energy at the start line before sunrise, the sweeping harbor views at the top of the bridge, and the celebration at Marion Square all combined to create another memorable chapter in one of Charleston’s most iconic events.

If history is any indication, once full official results are released, we can expect winning times to fall in the high 27 to low 28 minute range for men and low 31 to 32 minute range for women, consistent with the race’s reputation as a fast, competitive 10K.

The 2026 Cooper River Bridge Run once again delivered exactly what participants have come to expect: a world class race wrapped in unmistakable Lowcountry charm.