STAN MUSIAL VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE OPENING FESTIVITIES TO INCLUDE 6K RUN, CYCLING TIME TRIALS AND BIKE RIDES

REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL EVENTS

ST. LOUIS – Jan. 16, 2014 – On Saturday, Feb. 8, a series of special events will mark the opening of the new I-70 Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge spanning the Mississippi River.  Participants will have an opportunity to run, walk or bike across the new bridge, which will open to traffic on Sunday, Feb. 9, in time to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the City of St. Louis.

Big River Running Company, Big Shark and Trailnet have teamed up with the St. Louis Sports Commission in coordination with the City of St. Louis, MoDOT and IDOT to celebrate the bridge opening.  The events are expected to draw thousands of participants from across the region.  The events held in conjunction with the bridge opening festivities are:

Conquer Your Fear Of Bridges Ride:

For those who are interested in a recreational ride, Trailnet will host a bridge ride starting at 7 a.m. (Feb. 8) taking participants over a 7- or 32-mile course on three different spans: the new Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, and the McKinley Bridge.  This ride also traverses the Riverfront Trail in Missouri and MCT trails in Illinois.  Participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt.  Register at trailnet.org/new-mississippi-bridge-ride.  The cost for online registration is $23 for members and $28 for non-members (before Feb. 8).  Registration on the day of the ride is $25 for members and $30 for non-members; a children’s registration is $3.

Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge Run:

The St. Louis Sports Commission and Big River Running Company will host the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge 6K Run at 8 a.m. (on Saturday, Feb. 8).  Participants in this chip-timed race will receive a short sleeve lifestyle blended t-shirt, a commemorative medallion (first 1,500 registrants), finisher photos and video, and more.  Register atbigriverrunning.com/bridgerun.  The cost is $30 (before Feb. 1), $35 (Feb. 1 through Feb. 7) and $40 (race day).

Cycling Time Trials:

Big Shark will host individual time trials from Downtown St. Louis to the Route 3 exit in Illinois and back beginning at 10 a.m. (on Saturday, Feb. 8).  Riders will be staged in 20-second intervals.  Register at bigriverrunning.com/bridgerun, on Friday, Feb. 7 at Big Shark’s Delmar Loop location from noon to 7 p.m., or on race day.  Space is limited to 360 participants.

The Biathlon:

Participants interested in completing both the run and cycling time trials can register for the Biathlon.  Each event will run separately (there will not be a typical transition area and the ride will be time trial format).  Athletes who register for the Biathlon will be staged in order of registration.  There will be time to transition from run gear to bike gear.  Non-USAC license holders must purchase a $10 one day USAC license for the cycling portion of the Biathlon.  Register at bigriverrunning.com/bridgerun.  

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The general public will have the opportunity to view the bridge that afternoon from noon to 4 p.m.  Details will be released when available.  On the morning of Feb. 8, the bridge will be open to only race and ride participants.  For safety purposes, spectators will need to remain off the bridge.

Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge Schedule of Events:

Saturday, Feb. 8

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