It’s a pretty big deal. Enormous, actually. The third largest of its kind in the nation – the fifth largest on American roads. It brings in more people – 44,000 registrants, plus their families – over a two-day period than anything else around. So, yeah, you could say it’s pretty substantial.

But the Cooper River Bridge Run means more than stats and comparisons. It’s even bigger than that: It’s a challenge, a personal goal, something that takes months to work for.

For the 30 Cougars in Campus Recreation Services’ Bridge Run Training Program for staff, faculty and students, that work began in February at the George Street Fitness Center. There, they were given individualized training plans based on their goals, fitness levels and running experience: beginners, occasional runners and serious runners.

From there – aside from a few timed assessment runs – most of the actual training time was up to participants themselves.

“It’s mainly a do-it-on-your-own-time type of program,” says Bucky Buchanan, assistant director of fitness for Campus Recreation Services. “All of the components are optional. That is, there is no mandatory component of our program.”

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “We are here to interact as much as you, the participant, wants to engage.”

-Bucky Buchanan, assistant director of fitness for Campus Recreation Services[/pullquote] And so some joined in on the group runs, while others preferred to pound the pavement on their own. Regardless, the participants knew they had help if they needed it: The coaches sent out weekly emails with relevant nutritional and training information not just as educational tips and tools, but as reminders that they were there for them.

“We are here to interact as much as you, the participant, wants to engage,” says Buchanan.

On the big day, how much you trained with other people doesn’t really matter. It’s the work you put in – how committed you were. That’s what adds up.

And, for this year’s Bridge Run Training Program graduates, it’s bound to add up to something big. Collectively they put in the work and got over the hump – and that alone is a huge accomplishment!