Louisiana’s ‘Broken Bridge 10K’ Claims 39 More Victims
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Thirty-nine runners died Sunday at a road race in Louisiana, bringing the event’s cumulative death toll to 1,014. All 39 perished when they plunged through a wide gap in a bridge around mile 4 of the Broken Bridge 10K, a popular event celebrating its 25th year.
The remainder of the field of 8,000 either successfully made the leap or, having lost their nerve, opted to turn around and run back to the starting line.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims,” Race Director David Lean wrote in a statement published on the event’s website. “At the same time, we congratulate the thousands of runners who crossed our event’s namesake bridge without incident and we hope to see them next year!”
The Broken Bridge 10K, begun in 1996, is thought to be the only running event in the nation that features an incomplete bridge. It routinely sells out within hours of opening registration, despite the inherent risks.
“Yes, I could fall and die,” said Alec Guinness, 44, a six-time Broken Bridge finisher, acknowledging the event’s high stakes. “But it’s such a thrill, every time, doing that jump.”
“Plus,” he added, “the shirt is really nice.”
