Runners took over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge for the inaugural Skyway 10K.

  • Runners took over Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Sunday 
  • 7,000 runners registered for inaugural Skyway 10K
  • Proceeds from the event will go toward helping veterans

The Skyway Bridge has never been closed for foot traffic since it opened in 1987.

More than 7,000 people from 40 states were registered for Sunday’s race.

It proved to be a challenging run. The Skyway Bridge has an incline that is more than a mile long.

“When you finish coming off the bridge and the wind just hits you’re already tired from going over it,” said Bryce Gidmar, who won the men’s 16-24 group. “But you just have to keep going.”

Proceeds from the event will go toward helping local veterans and active duty service members.

Organizers said they expect to exceed their fundraising goal of $500,000.