Big event spins off array of side shows

Sarah Bates
The Post and Courier/File

The start of the 2007 Bridge Run.

If the Cooper River Bridge Run and Walk were a weather system, it'd be like a hurricane. You can see it coming for weeks. It builds as landfall approaches. And then it blows through in a fury and is over, leaving its path temporarily trampled and littered.

Also like a hurricane, it spins off tornadoes that seem to pop up randomly. Those Bridge Run spinoffs are events that have nothing directly to do with the Bridge Run and its organizers, but which use the momentum of the event to offer additional, or alternative, fun things to do.

Here's what we're talking about:

Bridge Run reading

This is the 10th time local writer Jonathan Sanchez, now the owner of Blue Bicycle Books on King Street, has held a reading of an original story he has written that is related to and timed with the Bridge Run. This year's event starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday with "wine, Power Bars and encouraging handshakes." The reading starts at 8 p.m. 722-2666.

Art Walk Before the Run

Join Louie's Kids (a nonprofit that helps obese children go to camp) for an art walk 5-8 p.m. Friday at galleries along the Coleman/Ben Sawyer boulevard corridor in Mount Pleasant. Each will host an open house featuring local artists' work and an auction, with the proceeds, along with 10 percent of art sales, going to Louie's Kids. More at louieskids.org.

Welcome, MoMs

A pre-Bridge Run Celebration will be held starting at 6:30 a.m. Saturday at the MoM Spa (between Starbucks and Harris Teeter in Northcutt Plaza) in Mount Pleasant. Moms (sorry dudes, you're not invited) can enjoy complimentary mini-massages, sunscreen application, restroom access and water. 849-4955 or themomspa.com.

Bridge Run golf tourney

In promoting its annual Bridge Run Golf Tournament, Patriots Point Golf Links asks its patrons and visitors, "Why run when you can drive?" Those who want to participate in the tournament, which has a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Saturday (same as the Bridge Run), better get to the golf course by 6:30 a.m.

When you get there, you'll have a "full, hot Southern-style breakfast" waiting for you. Cost is $100 for nonmembers and $75 for members and guests of members. Because this is a popular event, sign up early by calling 849-2385. PatriotsPointLinks.com.

Red Dress Bridge Run

"Hashers" are a fun-loving subculture of the running community, and among their traditions are "red dress runs." We're talking women, as well as men, wearing red dresses to run the bridge. (It's all fun.) The group will meet at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the Starbucks on Coleman Boulevard.

Halfway to Turkey Day

What the Bridge Run is to spring, the Knights of Columbus Turkey Day Run is to fall. It's the run that few want to miss and everybody talks about.

While the K of C really needs no extra push to encourage people to run its race, the Catholic fraternal organization will host its second annual Almost Halfway to the Turkey Day Run Party immediately after the Bridge Run. The party is at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 143 Calhoun St.

Charleston Running Club

The club will offer free hamburgers and hot dogs for members at its traditional post-Bridge Run party in Marion Square (on the King Street side midway up from Calhoun). Not a member? No problem. You can join by paying the membership fee of $20 per individual and $30 for families. charlestonrunning club.com.

Bridge Run Pub Crawl

For those who didn't get enough with the Red Dress Run or who wanted to run another kind of run, hashers will gather for the 17th annual Bridge Run Pub Crawl. Meet at 6 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot behind Saffron on Alexander Street between Calhoun and George streets. Cost is $25. Call 364-2171.

Bridge Run bike ride

For years, the Coastal Cyclists has held its annual spring century bike ride, aka "The After the Bridge Run Ride," on the Sunday after the big run. Based out of Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island on Sunday, the event's 100-mile bike ride starts at 8 a.m. and 73- and 30-mile rides at 8:30 a.m.

Preregistration fees are $30 for a single bike and $50 for a tandem (respectively, it's $5 and $10 more on Sunday). Fees include a barbecue lunch by Sticky Fingers served noon-3 p.m. coastalcyclists.org or John Glover at 571-1211.