2017 Shirt The Twin Bridges 8K Road Race is my favorite hometown race. It is part of the annual North Carolina Seafood Festival which takes place on the Morehead City waterfront. The course is a point to point starting in front of the Beaufort draw bridge. It goes down the causeway, up and over the Morehead City high rise bridge, through downtown Morehead City, up and over the Atlantic Beach high rise bridge, and finishes at the Scotchman store just before the Circle at Atlantic Beach. My first Twin Bridges Race in 2000 was just two days after a high school cross country race; I finished 4th in 29:35. I've done it almost every year since; only missing the race twice. I've won the race twice; the first in 2013 and last year when Katherine and I tied for the overall win as a way to honor Sonny and Taylor Hyman who started the race. They both meant so much to us and the running community. I'm sure Sonny and Taylor were smiling looking down from Heaven watching us finish. Finishing side by side with Katherine last year is one of the most special moments in my running career; one I will always cherish.
My goal for this year's race was to repeat my win from last year. I'm not sure how long it has been since a male as won back to back Twin Bridges races but it has been several years. The weather for this year's race was different than last year. Last year we faced a strong headwind the whole way. There was no headwind this year and instead we were greeted with a tailwind for the first 3.7 miles. It was warmer than last year though, something we all noticed as we did our warm-up and waited for the start.
The race started and immediately one runner went to the lead and opened a gap on the rest of us. Another runner was a few seconds behind him and ahead of me and Katherine. I checked our pace a quarter and half a mile in and the leader was going out really fast. I didn't recognize him and I thought there is no way he was going to hold that pace so I went out at a faster pace than planned to keep him close so when he started to slow I would be within striking distance.
I passed second place shortly after the first mile marker starting our journey over the first bridge, the Morehead City high-rise. I ran mile one in 5:43. I think the leader was already 30 seconds ahead of me. Once we crested the top of the bridge I saw Sally Kelly on the side taking pictures. I always look forward to seeing her there.
My goal for this year's race was to repeat my win from last year. I'm not sure how long it has been since a male as won back to back Twin Bridges races but it has been several years. The weather for this year's race was different than last year. Last year we faced a strong headwind the whole way. There was no headwind this year and instead we were greeted with a tailwind for the first 3.7 miles. It was warmer than last year though, something we all noticed as we did our warm-up and waited for the start.
The race started and immediately one runner went to the lead and opened a gap on the rest of us. Another runner was a few seconds behind him and ahead of me and Katherine. I checked our pace a quarter and half a mile in and the leader was going out really fast. I didn't recognize him and I thought there is no way he was going to hold that pace so I went out at a faster pace than planned to keep him close so when he started to slow I would be within striking distance.
I passed second place shortly after the first mile marker starting our journey over the first bridge, the Morehead City high-rise. I ran mile one in 5:43. I think the leader was already 30 seconds ahead of me. Once we crested the top of the bridge I saw Sally Kelly on the side taking pictures. I always look forward to seeing her there.
Around three miles. Photo by Andy Kiluk The race gets lonely once you come off the first bridge. You're now running through downtown Morehead City, a long straight and flat stretch. There isn't a lot of people out to cheer the runners on because the Seafood Festival isn't getting going that early. The spectators that are out are much appreciated. The leader was still way ahead of me. I wasn't gaining on him but kept thinking he wasn't going to hold his pace. I kept running hard as I ran mile two in 5:55.
I didn't feel the tailwind helping at all. I kept feeling warmer because the humidity was so high and there wasn't a side breeze or slight headwind to cool me down. I saw my friend Andy before mile three and he got some pictures and cheered me on which I appreciated. He said after the race that no one looked comfortable out there. I kept digging but was slowing down. I ran mile three in 6:03. I was all alone in second place, not gaining on first, and not being caught from behind.
After 3.5 miles the course turns and starts the trip up the final bridge, the Atlantic Beach high-rise. I immediately noticed I was running into a headwind as soon as I started up the bridge. The last 1.4 miles was going to be tough. I don't know why but it seems the mile four marker is off at this race every year. I know exactly where it should be and it's a good 200-300 meters too far. Anyways, I ran mile four in 6:16.
I didn't feel the tailwind helping at all. I kept feeling warmer because the humidity was so high and there wasn't a side breeze or slight headwind to cool me down. I saw my friend Andy before mile three and he got some pictures and cheered me on which I appreciated. He said after the race that no one looked comfortable out there. I kept digging but was slowing down. I ran mile three in 6:03. I was all alone in second place, not gaining on first, and not being caught from behind.
After 3.5 miles the course turns and starts the trip up the final bridge, the Atlantic Beach high-rise. I immediately noticed I was running into a headwind as soon as I started up the bridge. The last 1.4 miles was going to be tough. I don't know why but it seems the mile four marker is off at this race every year. I know exactly where it should be and it's a good 200-300 meters too far. Anyways, I ran mile four in 6:16.
Coming down the AB Bridge. My goal of winning and being the first male to repeat in awhile was gone as the leader was still too far ahead of me to catch in the final 0.9 miles. My Dad is always at the top of the final bridge taking pictures and cheering the runners on, much like Sally is on the first bridge. My Dad told me he couldn't see anyone behind me which actually worried me some because I expected Katherine to not be far behind. I was actually hoping she'd catch me so I'd have some company the final mile because misery loses company. After passing my Dad I tried pushing the pace down the bridge but the headwind was really tough. It was also hot and humid and I was ready to be done.
I did manage to pick it up some and ran the final 0.9 miles at 6:09 min/mile pace. I finished second place overall out of 229 in 30:00. It wasn't the time I wanted but that was a tough day to race in the heat and humidity. The winner was 19 year old Joseph Mooneyham in 28:38. Katherine finished third overall but got the win for the women in 31:10. Run the East did a great job timing and scoring the event and got finish line video which is a great touch.
I did manage to pick it up some and ran the final 0.9 miles at 6:09 min/mile pace. I finished second place overall out of 229 in 30:00. It wasn't the time I wanted but that was a tough day to race in the heat and humidity. The winner was 19 year old Joseph Mooneyham in 28:38. Katherine finished third overall but got the win for the women in 31:10. Run the East did a great job timing and scoring the event and got finish line video which is a great touch.
Katherine coming down AB Bridge Zack Nally, the Carteret County News-Times reporter, told me and Katherine after the race that the winner's goal was to break 26 minutes. I laughed when I heard that and responded with "there is no way that kid is breaking 26 on this course". This is a tough course with the two high rise bridges coupled with the humidity and wind. The course record is just over 26 minutes by Ryan Toler who was a very accomplished runner at West Carteret High School and then a colligate runner for Appalachian State University.
This race and course may change in the future with the completion of the new high rise bridge in Beaufort that will replace the draw bridge. There has been talk of making it a three bridges race. I love running bridges but I think adding in the third bridge and making the race distance longer would hurt the numbers. An 8K is still a doable distance for the person who mostly does 5Ks. Adding in the new bridge would increase the distance to a 10K or more and I think that would be too much of a jump for most people. I hope the race and course stays like it is and they figure out a way to stop traffic on the new four lane high rise bridge. I hate to have a great local race ruined.
Race Gear
Socks: Smartwool PhD Run Ultra Light Micro Socks
Shoes: New Balance 1400v4
Shorts: Adidas 3" split shorts
Road ID Wrist ID Slim
Watch: Garmin 920XT
Sunglasses: Rudy Project Rydon
This race and course may change in the future with the completion of the new high rise bridge in Beaufort that will replace the draw bridge. There has been talk of making it a three bridges race. I love running bridges but I think adding in the third bridge and making the race distance longer would hurt the numbers. An 8K is still a doable distance for the person who mostly does 5Ks. Adding in the new bridge would increase the distance to a 10K or more and I think that would be too much of a jump for most people. I hope the race and course stays like it is and they figure out a way to stop traffic on the new four lane high rise bridge. I hate to have a great local race ruined.
Race Gear
Socks: Smartwool PhD Run Ultra Light Micro Socks
Shoes: New Balance 1400v4
Shorts: Adidas 3" split shorts
Road ID Wrist ID Slim
Watch: Garmin 920XT
Sunglasses: Rudy Project Rydon
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