Galloping Gertie

🏃‍♂️ Galloping Gertie

Join us for a half marathon, 10K and 5K that shows off Tacoma’s and Gig Harbor’s finest views. Each race will run on the iconic Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Galloping Gertie), which features stunning views of the Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains, and the surrounding cities of Tacoma and Gig Harbor. This is one of the few races that traverse the bridge span to span. All participants in the race will receive a custom finisher medal, free downloadable race photos and a cool tech tee! The best part? It all supports great local charities!

🏗️ What is Galloping Gertie?

Galloping Gertie is the nickname of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, a local icon that spans the Puget Sound between Tacoma and Gig Harbor, Washington. Crossing it provides breathtaking views of the Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains.

⚠️ Historical Background

• Original Bridge: The original Tacoma Narrows Bridge suffered a catastrophic collapse in November 1940, just four months after it opened.
• Nickname Origin: It earned its nickname while it was under construction, when workers observed the bridge deck jump during periods of high wind.
• Engineering Error: A fatal error in the engineering of the bridge resulted in its collapse when the winds caused something called aeroelastic flutter.
• Famous Structure: At the time, Gertie was the third longest suspension bridge in the world.

🌉 Modern Day Bridges

The replacement bridge opened in 1950 (this is the existing westbound bridge) and the newer eastbound bridge (the one you will run across) opened in 2007. The engineering disaster that resulted in the collapse of the bridge makes the Tacoma Narrows Bridge one of the more famous in the world.

📅 Event Details

Visit the official race website for full race details, course maps, and race weekend information: Galloping Gertie Half Marathon

📍 Race Link

For more information, visit the race page: Galloping Gertie Race Page.