I love when a one-of-a-kind, never-to-be repeated experience comes my way. Some special moments happen by chance like the summer I visited Washington, D.C. Somehow the secret service overlooked me when they kicked everyone out of Arlington Cemetery. By the time the men in shades realized their mistake, a limousine had stopped by the curb. “Just stay put,” a dark-suited man whispered. I obeyed and stood front-and-center for a private ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A man climbed out of the limo, marched down the white path, and knelt with a wreath to honor America’s heroes. After a moment of silence, the man raised his bowed head and my eyes met those of President Ronald Reagan.
Not all unique experiences occur serendipitously like my encounter with the President. Some are planned events that we pursue and make happen. On Saturday August 1st, we have the opportunity to experience a singular sensation. The new toll-bridge spanning Lake Lewisville will open for a one-time pedestrian event. A 5k race will begin at 8:00 a.m. followed by a family fun-walk at 10:00 a.m. Ron Marszalek, volunteer coordinator for Run Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge, states “This is a one time deal. We’ll never have pedestrians on the bridge again.”
The race is limited to the first 2500 registrants. Participants will wear keepsake timing chips and be eligible for awards for various men/women divisions. Register online: www.runlltb.com. Walkers can enter the bridge until 11:00 a.m. Families, kids, and strollers are welcome, no pets please. Donation of a non-perishable food item will be collected from participants.
The Dallas Corinthian Yacht Club (www.dcyc.org), a sponsor for this event, has arranged for a flotilla of private yachts to parade under the arch while runners and walkers pass overhead. Vendors and music will be on hand.
You can also make a difference for those in need. Event planners launched the Run Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge as a charity fund-raiser, with all proceeds donated to Communities in Schools of North Texas, Little Elm Area Food Bank and Lake Cities Food Pantry. Mark your calendars for August 1st and experience a landmark occasion.
Run the Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge
August 1, 2009 • 8 am until noon
The LLTB corridor is approximately 13.8 miles and creates an east-west connection between I-35E and the Dallas North Tollway. It includes improvements to the portions of roadway that follow existing western and eastern arterials near Lewisville Lake. The corridor is divided into eight sections, with Section 2 designated as the toll bridge.
Participate in this historical opportunity to run across the new Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge prior to being open. The City of Lake Dallas, Town of Little Elm, Denton County, TxDOT, and NTTA will host a 5K run and Family Fun Walk across the bridge. Come be a part of history as we celebrate the much anticipated bridge across Lewisville Lake!
Sponsorship as well as many volunteers are needed. The 5k race is limited to the first 2500 registrants, $30 entry fee, ergister online. The Family Fun Walk begins at 10 am, please bring a food item to donate.
Access to the bridge will only be possible on the Lake Dallas side, where parking is limited. Visit the website for a printable map of parking areas and shuttle schedules. Shuttles will bring participants to the staging area. Volunteers for manning water stations, t-shirt distribution, set-up and break-down can register online. Event planners anticipate 10,000 participants, so there’s a huge need for volunteers.
http://www.runlltb.com
