A portion of 1,000 registered competitors heads to the highest point of the Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys during the Seven Mile Bridge Run Saturday, April 17, 2021, near Marathon, Fla. The annual contest was canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19 and this year’s field was only comprised of runners who had registered in 2020. The race began in 1982 to mark the completion of a new Seven Mile Bridge as well as construction of 36 other spans to replace aging bridges that once carried the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Andy Newman/ Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)
Despite the heat, it was a “fast” race on April 17 for the 40th annual 7 Mile Bridge Run. Collin Wainwright of Pennsylvania, 25, finished first with a time of 37:46. Marathon’s Jonathan and Owen Pitchford, 18-year-old twin brothers, were right behind finishing in 38:03 and 40:17. Jonathan won the race in 2019 with a time of 39 minutes even. To see the complete results, visit www.athlinks.com.
To see more photos of the race, or purchase copies, visit shadypalmphotography.com. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly
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Kristen Livengood, left, horses around on the finish line waiting for her friend Kristy Yeider, right. Sherron Highsmith, bib no. 400, finishes just in front.
Marathon High School’s Rain Banks, 15, runs the bridge with a 7:45 minute per mile pace. She finished 54th overall.
Race volunteers support Laura DiBella after she steps over the finish line.
Laura DiBella of Tallahassee finishes sixth overall, in first place for female runners, with a time of 42:11.
Jonathan Pitchford crosses the finish line in second place. Bucky Wile (not pictured) of Marathon finished fourth overall.
Collin Wainwright of Pennsylvania finishes first in the 2021 7 Mile Bridge Run. The race was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, and this year social distancing precautions had the runners starting in waves of a dozen or so.
