Excitement is building in the racing community over the Trigon Bay Bridge Marathon, the first marathon ever to be run on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Registration continues to increase for the marathon, which will debut October 20, 2002, with many elite athletes already signed up to race. Organizers are confident that this race has the potential to become one of the most popular marathons for athletes and spectators in the country.

This race is being produced by the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival in cooperation with The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Commission. It is sponsored by Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The Race Director of the Trigon Bay Bridge Marathon is Dave McGillivray, who is also the Race Director for the Boston Marathon, the world(1)s most prestigious marathon. McGillivray brings many years of marathon expertise to the inaugural running of this marathon. "This is an unprecedented marathon, and the only U.S. marathon whose course actually takes its runners over and under water," says McGillivray.

McGillivray and Josh Nemzer, Course Logistics Coordinator for the TBBM and who also works with Dave in Boston, recently did a trial run across the bridge-tunnel. According to McGillivray, "Running across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was one of the most enjoyable runs I have ever experienced, and I have run over 120,000 miles in my lifetime. Trust me, runners are going to love this experience."

Nancy Creech, president of the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, said, "We hope this historic athletic event will create excitement in the community. We are anticipating a large spectator crowd along the course in Virginia Beach. Spectators can play an important role in the running of this marathon. We are encouraging residents to come out to view from the water along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel by boat or along Shore Drive and Atlantic Avenue to cheer the runners. For many major marathons around the country, neighborhoods organize mini-block parties at the water stations to cheer the athletes." For safety and traffic reasons, spectators will not be allowed on the Bay Bridge Tunnel.

Due to the unique venue of this marathon, the race is expected to draw several thousand runners in its inaugural year. Runner applications are being taken on a first-come/first served basis. Participants must be capable of completing the marathon in six hours or less. A total prize purse of $50,000 will be awarded.

Interested runners may sign up at the race web site, or by calling the Neptune Festival office at (757) 498-0215.