Third Annual Cow Key Channel Bridge Run Offers Fun “Run” For Moo-vers of Any Athletic Ability

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Running with the Bulls, Hemingway Style?—Cynthia Buchanan Douglas rides a wooden bull across the Cow Key Channel Bridge while friends Mike Mell, and Fred Devendorf (left to right) pull them along during last year’s Cow Key Channel Bridge Run. The trio were among hundreds enjoying the revelry before, during and after the mock “race” which celebrates athletes and non-athletes alike.
Running with the Bulls, Hemingway Style?—Cynthia Buchanan Douglas rides a wooden bull across the Cow Key Channel Bridge while friends Mike Mell, and Fred Devendorf (left to right) pull them along during last year’s Cow Key Channel Bridge Run. The trio were among hundreds enjoying the revelry before, during and after the mock “race” which celebrates athletes and non-athletes alike.

The world’s only zero K bridge run is quickly moo-ving upon us with the Third Annual Cow Key Channel Bridge Run set to go on Sunday, April 10. The festive “anyone can be an athlete” event includes a pre-race/preregistration gathering starting at 10:00am on the Key West side of the bridge, the race kick-off at noon, and an after-race awards celebration featuring live music, food trucks, and a full bar at 12:01 at Key West Botanical Gardens.

The humorous run began as a joke among friends some years ago when the more athletic of the bunch convinced pals to partake in a 5k run after a night of drinking. The results were disastrous. A few weeks later, the same friend suggested they try the 7-mile bridge run, and in true irony, the Cow Key Channel Bridge Run was born.

“I needed a way to score a trophy and a t-shirt without breaking a sweat,” says event co-producer and author David Sloan, whose recent publications include Tutu the Almost Hemingway Cat and The Key West Bucket List. “It’s as if the Cow Key Bridge was built for this purpose.”

Stampeding to Stock Island—Entrants of last year’s Cow Key Channel Bridge Run participate in “The Walking Cow Stampede,” one of five heats that make up the “race.” The race portion of the family-friendly event takes place entirely on the Overseas Heritage Trail to promote safety and non-disruption of traffic, with an after-party at the Key West Botanical Garden.
Stampeding to Stock Island—Entrants of last year’s Cow Key Channel Bridge Run participate in “The Walking Cow Stampede,” one of five heats that make up the “race.” The race portion of the family-friendly event takes place entirely on the Overseas Heritage Trail to promote safety and non-disruption of traffic, with an after-party at the Key West Botanical Garden.

All jesting aside, the event promotes pure fun for anyone who wants it. Participants will gather on the Key West side of the 360-foot long bridge as early as 10:00 am for photo ops with Mo the Sloth, costume judging, and shirt and bib sales and pick-up. Fifteen minutes prior to the noon “race,” runners will convene at the foot of the bridge for the opening ceremony with the event’s “Grand Moobah,” Cow Key Channel Girl, and proceed to “race” in their predetermined heat: 1st Place Contenders (23.1 seconds record), Pets with Humans, Relay Teams, The Walking Cow Stampede (the main event), and Last Place (slowest across while maintaining forward motion). A water station will be located mid-bridge.

The family-friendly event will be run entirely on the Overseas Heritage Trail to promote safety and non-disruption of traffic. Due to limited free parking in the main garage of sponsor Marriot Beachside Hotel (3841 North Roosevelt Boulevard) and College Road, participants are encouraged to walk, bike or get dropped off at the race starting location. Registration is $5 and can be done at the event or online at cowkeybridgerun.com. Partial proceeds will go to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Animal Farm. For more information visit CowKeyBridgeRun.com.

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