PORT ISABEL – If you are in the area Saturday morning, you are likely to see a mass of humanity run and walk across the Queen Isabella Causeway.
It’s not your typical sight, but it has happened at this time of the year for 33 previous years.
Thousands of people are expected to participate in the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce’s 34th Annual Longest Causeway Run & Fitness Walk on Saturday, Jan. 13.
The 5K Walk and 10K Run will start in Port Isabel and cross the causeway. Walkers will end at the Padre Balli statue on the Island while runners will continue to the finish line at Louie’s Backyard.
The run will start promptly at 8 a.m. at the Port Isabel Community Center at 213 Yturria Street in Port Isabel. Walk-ers will start approximately 15 minutes later.
“We’ve changed the start time from 10 am to 8 am this year,” Chamber Chairman Bill Fletcher said. “We think this will help minimize any impact of vehicular traffic and allow our participants to enjoy other activities in the area for the rest of the day. Only the outside lane of the westbound side of the causeway will be closed for the run and it will reopen as soon as the last walker clears the bridge.”
With more than 2,500 participants in 2017, run organizers say they are expecting a modest increase this year. “We expect a stronger Winter Texan turnout this year,” says Chamber President Betty Wells. “That should impact our event, especially in terms of walker turnout.
We encourage our participants to park at Louie’s Backyard and catch our buses to the start line. Buses will start running at 6 am.
The buses will also transport finishers back to Port Isabel following the Awards ceremonies at Louie’s.”
The Causeway Run & Fitness Walk will also be introducing a new custom medal for both winners and finishers. “Our participants have been telling us that they would like to see something special in terms of our medal,” Wells said. “Something that is more representative of our event. We have listened to their input and contract for a new color, die cast custom medal that we are sure will be a hit.”
The joint cooperation of both Port Isabel and South Padre Island city officials, police and public works department is key to the success of this event.
“We could not do this without the help of South Padre Island,” Wells said. “This event is a perfect example of how we can increase visitor traffic during the off season by working together.”
Entry fees for the Run & Walk start at $25 for students and military personnel with ID, $30 for walkers, and $35 for runners.
For more information, visit www.portisabelchamber.com, email director@portisabel.org or contact the Chamber office at (956) 943-2262. The first 2,500 registrants to check in will receive an event T-shirts.