Event Description
Registration includes:
Free shuttle to and from the designated runner parking lots
Commemorative tech shirt
Collectible finisher medal
Finish line food and drink
Free bag check and live music at finisher celebration
EVENT | OVERVIEW
The Across the Bay 10k is one of the largest, most exciting mid-distance events anywhere. 4.35 miles of the 10K course takes place over water, on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, near Annapolis, Maryland. The event lasts all weekend and will again include a 10k for individuals 10yrs. or older, a kid’s fun run during the race expo at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for those 12yrs. and younger and a live concert on race morning at the finish line in Queen Anne’s County that is free and open to all.
THE ONLY WAY | TO CROSS THIS BAY
The most exciting 10k to come online in years! Don’t miss out on the chance to run or walk over the Chesapeake Bay.
A beloved Maryland tradition is back in a new, exciting format! This 10 kilometer, 6.2 mile point-to-point course will take runners over the eastbound span of the 4.35 mile long Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which reaches 186 feet at its tallest point. Runners will experience water vistas dotted with sailboats and cargo ships from atop a major dual-span bridge that doesn’t allow pedestrian traffic at any other time of the year. This event happens once a year and is the only way to cross this majestic span on foot.
The race is open to participants of various levels of fitness and physical abilities as long as you are able to complete the event in under 2.5 hours
After departing the start line near Northrop Grumman bayside campus, participants travel about a half mile over MDTA property before they leave the western shore and begin ascending the eastbound span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. There is a gradual but sustained climb for approximately 1.7 miles until you reach the midpoint of the bridge and the first water station. During those first two miles, runners will climb to nearly 200 feet above sea level. The climb isn’t overly steep and has a maximum grade of only 3%. You will be almost 200 feet above the bay – so don't forget to check out the view!
Fortunately, what goes up must come down. After passing through the water station, runners descend the same 200 feet over the course of 2 miles before reaching the eastern shore and our legendary finisher’s celebration.
BAG CHECK | FREE FOR RUNNERS
Charm City Run is happy to provide a bag check option for all Across the Bay 10K participants. Bags may be dropped off at any Charm City Run or VITA locations during normal business hours October 29 - November 3 or at the Charm City Run booth at the race expo on Friday or Saturday before the run. Bags may be picked-up after the race in the designated area and will include a special gift from Brooks!
What’s Allowed:
Clothing
Footwear
Unopened, Pre-Packaged Food (no glass)
One Bag Per Participant
Provided Bags ONLY
What’s NOT Allowed:
Electronics
Cash
Valuables
Backpacks
Weapons
Glass
All bags are subject to search. Race officials reserve the right to disallow ANY item at their sole discretion. We are not responsible for any lost/stolen/damaged items.
START WAVE | OVERVIEW
The safety of the participants is our highest concern. The width of the eastbound span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is only 26 feet. To ensure the safety of the participants, the Across the Bay 10K will begin in ten waves of approximately 2,000 participants each. The waves will begin on a staggered timeline every 15 minutes beginning at 7:00 a.m. and ending at 9:15 a.m. Start times for the Across the Bay 10K will be assigned to each participant based on the anticipated pace indicated during registration. The fastest participants will begin at 7:00 a.m. while the subsequent waves will be those with increasingly slower times. The participant bibs will be color-coordinated and will indicate which wave they are assigned to start in.
NOTE: If you want to run with friends and family and be assigned to the same wave, please enter the same estimated finish time when registering. When you register for the race, you will be asked your estimated finish time. If you are part of a group, running with friends or participating as a family, please have all members of your group enter the same estimated finish time so you will be seeded and grouped together in waves.
HOW | TO START IN A DIFFERENT WAVE
We recognize that some participants may want to start with friends or family who are assigned to a different wave. If you plan to run the event with friends or family that are in a different wave, we ask that you drop back to their assigned start wave and bus loading time (or they drop back to your assigned start wave and bus loading time). Participants are NOT PERMITTED to move up in the start waves but they may drop back to a later wave.
Note: Because this is a chip-timed race, your race time will not start until you cross the timing mat at the start line. This means that starting in a later wave will not affect your race time.
ABOUT | THE COURSE
10 Kilometers | 4.35 miles Over Water | up to 186 ft. in the air
The race starts near the base of the bridge on the Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay then proceed directly over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on the eastbound span. The race ends near Terrapin State Park in Queen Anne’s County.
*Each registrant is allotted 2.5 hours to complete to course. If you are unable to finish in the time frame, a finisher vehicle will gladly pick you up and take you to the finish area
TIMING | THE RACE
Across the Bay 10K will be a timed race using the MYLAPS timing system. Gun time will determine overall winners and chip time will be used to determine age category winners.
AWARDS | CATEGORIES
GUN TIME: Gun time will determine overall winners. Awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place overall for men and women.
CHIP TIME: Age group winners will be determined using chip time. Awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place age group winners for both men and women. Men and Women: age 10-14, age 15-19, age 20-24, age 25-29, age 30-34, age 35-39, age 40-44, age 45-49, age 50-54, age 55-59, age 60-64, age 65-69, age 70 and older. Awards will also be given to the top 3 male and female finishers in our disabled athlete field
AWARDS | AND OFFICIAL RESULTS
Due to starting times being extended over a two-hour period with multiple start waves, unofficial age group winners will be available within a few hours after the completion of the race. However, all results are considered unofficial until they are verified by the Across the Bay 10k Road Race Committee. If you believe there is a discrepancy in your posted finish time and/or an error in your age/gender assignment, you can submit a time adjustment request up to 5 days after the event is completed. Age group winners will be posted once all changes and discrepancies have been processed and updated. Once official results have been posted, if you are an age group winner please email us at info@bridgerace.com with your first and last name, phone number, mailing address and your award will be mailed to you