The Navy’s Original Bay Bridge Run/Walk

This run is amazing and very fun to do. It’s once in a year where you get to actually go on the Coronado Bay Bridge and actually take time to soak in all the scenery. Downside is that there are some really crowded areas where it gets congested so it’s hard to walk past some people. I also wish we were on the downtown side because that’s where the real view is at. Definitely planning on doing this run again. :)

Overall a pretty fun race/​event to do! and thank you Northrop Grumman for sponsoring my registration! If you are like me and always takes photos while crossing the bridge, then this is the event for you!
This was pretty cool experience, given that we literally ran/​walked across the Coronado bay bridge! The run started at the Hilton bay front hotel and we took off south heading towards barrio logan before getting onto the bridge, the finish line was at tidelands park!
If you are planning in doing this event in the future do allow for it to take a few hours or maybe even half a day! so plan accordingly. I got lucky and found free parking downtown [metered parking is free sundays] and walked to the starting line.
Armed with my gopro, and extra battery for my phone, headphones. I was ready to conquer the bridge! selfie sticks were popular, saw a few people with them, including my friend Amy! [ thanks for all the photos ! ] and for running/​walking the bridge with me!
after finishing the race, we were able to pick up our bridge run shirt and take advantage of our company’s booth which had water, orange juice, coffee, bagels and cup cakes! yummy! we were starving when we finished!
are you wondering how we came back to Downtown? they had free shuttles and also ferries taking runners back to the convention center. I took the ferry which dropped us off right at the convention center! [ first timer !! ] pretty cool to have check that off the bucket list!
soreness and tiredness are a bargain compare to how much fun we had in this run, amazing pictures and fun times with friends! def. recommend it !!

Typically, you are only allowed to drive on the bridge, and not to set foot. The only times people enter the bridge by foot are either:
1 — People participating in the once a year, Bay Bridge Run/​Walk.
2 — People committing suicide.
Hopefully everyone will be part of option 1, but hey… there are hotlines if you are considering option 2. o_​O
I’d like to deem myself a pretty avid runner, but considering the uniqueness of this event, I decided to selfie it, I mean walk it. It was a nice, breazy, scenic and fun stroll. There were TONS of people and if they were like me — they probably cared less about the actual race. This race would be great for families, kids and elderly. If you are a running aficionado this isn’t for you. There’s some kind of running event every week, so it shouldn’t be hard to find something else. And theres no medal for those who care.
You start in front of the Hilton Bayfront in downtown next to the Convention Center, and end up at Tidelands Park in Coronado. They offered a complimentary bus or ferry back to downtown if that’s where you parked. The wait for both were pretty long, but if you had to pick between the two, I’d go with the ferry. It was actually pretty nice and relaxing. Too bad the ferry wasn’t longer.
After the race, they had a huge after party. Tons of vendors, photo ops, snacks, balloon animals, and on-​going opportunities to win prizes (ie Zoo tickets, gift cards, and so-​on.) I even met a guy that gave me his address! LOL! Well, technically, it had his phone number too. He ripped the information from his checkbook. Lol.
My highlight of the event was the BANANAS. I guess they over planned the banana distribution or something because there were tons of bananas left over. We were allowed to take as many bananas as we wanted. Being the frugal Asian I am, I definitely took advantage… as in 49 bananas worth! Yeah, I hate bananas now. Lol.

This is one of those iconic San Diego runs! When else are you going to have the opportunity to run the Coronado Bridge? The option is also avilable to wakers at a later start time.
The only complaint I would have is that it does get bottlenecked at times in certain places but hey, the price you pay for that unbeatable scenery! And you finish at Tidelands Park with a great finish line festival with plenty of vendors and FREE stuff. This year, I saw 7Up, Kind Bar, Pure Protein and lots more.
I highly recommend and I plan on doing this one every year!

There are two types of runners on this one: 1) Competitive dudes who finish in 21:00 and 2) hipsters and casual types who run/​walk/​bounce solely to take selfies because there’s a great view at the top of the bridge. I made a huge mistake by not arriving early to get a good starting spot. If you want to run this for time, you need to be up front!
There are parts to this course simply too narrow to traverse. The strollers are one thing, but the wide-​bodied bigguns are in a whole other class. Although we gave in and just embraced the blob, this was the most uncomfortable running experience I’ve ever seen. It’s just too narrow. Like trying to shoot the Pacific Ocean through a fire nozzle.
Another tip: Post-​race, do NOT take the free bus ride back to SD. The buses have to go over the bridge you just crossed. There’s one lane, and it takes forever. Walk down to the ferry (it is free for runners) and you will be back in no time. It’s ridiculously fast!
Overall, this is a well-​run event on a fun course with spirited participants. We just know for next time to get there early and start up front.

For almost as long as I can remember I’ve been afraid of the Coronado Bridge; it’s a long story but lets just say some things from childhood stick with you. That being said, I decided to conquer my fear and figured the best way to do it was to go full force and run the thing. So, I did.
The run is very well organized, and even though there were 10,000 people everything seemed to flow smoothly. I went early and parked in overflow parking in Coronado, then rode the shuttle back across the bridge to the start line. It was a very easy process. It also made it easy to get back once I was done. The bridge stays open the whole time (though it’s down to two lanes) so as I drove back across I got to honk and cheer on those still walking across. It was pretty awesome.
The whole thing was great, but as others have mentioned if you’re looking for a PR or just want a competitive race, this is probably not for you. There are just simply too many people, etc. etc. The cause is great and the experience is definitely worth it. This race typically sells out so make sure you sign up early!

300^th Review of 2013! Yeah Buddy!
5 stars because it’s in my hometown of San Diego
5 stars because it’s hosted by our US Navy
5 stars because this run benefits the MWR
10 stars because this was my first run/​walk with my Honey Bunches of Oats aka my little girl.
My pops served in the US Navy. He’s retired and proud of his service. One initiative of the Navy… keep our country safe. I spent a handful of years living overseas via the Navy. And if it wasn’t for the MWR, my great experiences overseas wouldn’t exist. This run/​walk is hosted by our US Navy and the proceeds go to the MWR. This event is just another way to give thanks.
I felt that the event was organized. From your packet pick up to race day, everything seemed organized. If there’s one issue, it would be your transportation back once the race is done. When you’re done, you can choose the bus or the ferry to get back to the starting point. I don’t do ferries, so the bus it is. This process is supposedly faster, but still took about an hour and half to get back to your car. If I do this run again, I know better to park at the finish line and hitch a ride to the start. Regardless, the traffic getting out of Coronado was tight anyway. Minimum 30 minutes of traffic out of the island.
Now for this Run/​Walk. That’s exactly what it is, a Run/​Walk. I originally entered Bay Bridge Run/​Walk with my Brother-​In-​Law. Now we entered this 20 deep. Even better, my little girl joined in on the fun. Being that this is my first run with my baby girl, regardless where and how I finished, I knew this was a day I would never forget. One thing about this bridge, pedestrians are normally not allowed to walk on it. So being that this is one of those rare occasions only made this experience that much better. The top of the bridge was the biggest highlight for sure. Views of downtown Daygo and Coronado were beautiful.
The run itself is only 4 miles. It’s not the easiest 4 miles if you’re looking for PR’s since it starts off all uphill. But what comes up, must come down. After the halfway point, it’s all down hill and easy. The original plan was to walk the whole thing and enjoy America’s finest city. Halfway through, I couldn’t help myself. Run and fun is what I did. Loved all of it! This run is strictly a fun run. About 20% were runners and the rest were all walkers. You know what that means. It means you’re spending your time either walking this, dodging walkers, or running in place.
Overall, I had the best time ever with my teenager. We ended the run/​walk with photographs with family. Time of my life!
PS: First time doing this run equals PR baby!

I love participating in this event and have been for years.
My grandpa, uncle, cousin, etc. have all served in the Navy, and my Dad is also a USMC veteran. I also have family and dear friends who are currently serving or who are also veterans from various military branches.
Whenever there is an opportunity to support the military, I try to volunteer my time/​services in dedication to those who have served our country and freedom.
This event supports athletes from the Balboa Warrior Athlete Program (BWAP) through the Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD).
BWAP is a program created for recovering injured military, veterans and dependents to play adaptive and Paralympics sports, assist rehabilitation and to «renew» quality of life.
You get unbelievable views of the city by running over the Coronado Bay Bridge. It’s the only event that allows participants to walk/​run across the bridge. It’s only a 4 mi walk/​run, so it isn’t strenuous and at the fini