BRIDGE RUN
CROWDS MAKE THE MOST OF TRAFFIC-FREE TASMAN
RUNNERS, walkers and rollers were among those beating up and down the slopes of the Tasman Bridge in Hobart’s annual Run the Bridge fun run yesterday.
The bridge, normally used to carry an average of 67,000 vehicles daily between the Eastern Shore and the city, was closed to from 7am to 9am as more than 3600 fun run entrants took over. Among those taking part were riders from ParaQuad Tasmania, who exchanged their everyday wheelchairs for chairs used in wheelchair basketball, to race over the River Derwent.
Joe Chivers of ParaQuad Tasmania, a support group for Tasmanians with a disability, said it was good to be involved in one Tasmania’s most popular road-race events and the ParaQuad competitors were now eyeing a few more races.
“We’ve all found it to be great,” he said. “So we’re now looking to do the City to Casino, as well as the Burnie Ten, and the Launceston fun run. “The sky’s the limit.” Run the Bridge organiser Richard Welsh said it was a success, despite a few minor hiccups early in the day.
“After we received a few late entries we had to pay for a few taxis and Ubers to get (an overload of) competitors from the shuttle bus pick-up spot to the race’s starting point,” Mr. Welsh said. “It was a bit of a challenge, but I don’t think anyone missed the start of the race so it was fine.”
Mr Welsh said the run, which prompted the closure of the Tasman Bridge for the first time in the event’s nine-year history, sent a positive message of health to Tasmanians.
“I know that closing the bridge impacts a few people, but I really think that events like this need to happen for tourism, and for community and fitness benefits,” he said.
“The closure of the bridge resulted in a safe and positive experience for everyone.”
Mr Welsh said it was not yet decided whether the bridge would be closed in future races.
“We’ll have a debrief with the authorities shortly and consider all feedback for the future direction,” he said.
“While we acknowledge it’s significant to close the Tasman Bridge, it’s for a great community event which showcases Hobart to the world and enables people to have a unique exercise experience.”