Toro Talk dec 6

December 6, 2010

How do you describe getting 5,000 plus people together to run, jog, or walk over the bridge? One word FUN. Is it a lot of work? Yes. Does everything go just the way you want to? No. But what I do know is that all of you made this event. Many people worked countless hours to make this happen. The Savannah Sports Council, Ben, Joe, Melissa and all the dedicated folks who drive this event. Richard Chambless and the HostSouth folks who put together the expo, party, and signage. The Savannah Police Department who keep the roads safe and keep the traffic flowing the best they can when you have to get 4,000 folks in one spot for a short amount of time. The Enmark employees, Enmark stations, and Jim Mercer for supporting this event and having the vision to take it where it is today. The employees of Fleet Feet, I was thinking about how lucky I was on Saturday morning before the race start that I have employees that put so much time and effort into the store, all the running events we have and give me the time to do what I do. This letter could go on and on if I thanked everyone involved in making this race happen, so I will say thank you to all that touch this race and help make it happen.

For me though I see it from another angle, because I have been a competitor, a volunteer, a coordinator and director when it comes to road races. And for me personally it continually comes down to the same thing. None of these races would happen unless you showed up and participated in them. I am not saying that the organization is not an important element, but the Bridge Run going from 700 just a few years ago to 5,000 plus is all because of you. We only dreamed about a sell out a couple of years ago and now we were sold out three days before race day. I have had a bunch of folks telling me how proud they are of Savannah and how it has come so far. At the expo the woman from the Rock 'n' Roll marathon booth said she signed up more people for the Savannah Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and Half Marathon in a couple of hours at the bridge run expo than she did at a two day expo in Philly. That’s all you Savannah! You have made this running and fitness scene what it is and I am proud of all of you for supporting the many running and fitness events in Savannah with many more to come down the road.

If I didn’t have a lot to do before during and after the run, I wish I could high five all of you and say thank you to all of you when you cross the finish line, so high five, high five, high five, thank you, thank you, thank you. See you next year at The 2011 Enmark Savannah River Bridge.

And while I was writing, registration for the 2011 Bridge Run opened and the first participant for the run, Mary Brock from Ft. Stewart. Way to go Mary!!!!!!!!!!!! Get Pumped!!!!! Register NOW!!!! For the 2011 Enmark Savannah River Bridge Run, it will be a sellout.    

Robert Espinoza

"Keep Your Chin Up for Strength, and Down For Prayer"

Fleet Feet Sports Savannah