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Cooper River Bridge Run slated for April 2 Last minute do's and don'ts for the Cooper River Bridge Run Don't wait until the last minute to register for the Cooper River Bridge Run. There are more people registered than ever before, and there is a limit of 25,000 runners and 17,000 walkers. As of March 23, there were 20,764 registered runners and the walker registration was closed (check out the Web site at http://www.bridgerun.com for the latest numbers).  Don't wait until Friday evening to pick up your packet at the Expo. If at all possible, pickup your packet, which includes your race number and T-shirt, on Thursday or early Friday.  Do read the race information that comes in your race packet. It helps to review the information before Saturday morning, even if you've done this race before. Do have your transportation plans decided on before race day.  Do get to the buses early if you are planning to take them to the run or walk start. They begin running Saturday from the Charleston Visitor's Center downtown at 4:45 a.m. and stop running at 6:45 a.m. You must have your run or walk bib number to the board buses. Be in line by 6 a.m. Buses travel Highway 17-Bypass dropping walkers at McGrath-Darby Boulevard before proceeding to run start (near Sea Island Shopping Center). Post-Race: return buses will leave from Concord Street (next to Ansonborough Field) from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Strollers will not be allowed on the buses. Don't bring a stroller to the run start. Strollers are not allowed in the run, but are allowed in the walk, which starts near Patriot's Point. Do know where you will meet your friends after the race if you get separated. There will be flags in Ansonborough Field with the letters of the alphabet on them. You can plan to meet under the flag with the first letter of your last name on it.  Do wear your run or walk number during the event. Bandits (those not wearing numbers) will be removed from the course and not allowed to finish. Do lace your computer chip onto one of your shoes if you are doing the run (it will be in an envelope stapled to your race number. The chip records your start and finish times. You can keep the chip after the race.  Do eat a well-balanced meal the night before the event, and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. Don't try anything new on race day. This includes wearing a new pair of shoes or eating or drinking anything you don't normally eat or drink before a race. Don't train hard the week of the race. Training should have been completed the week before the race.  Do dress appropriately for the weather conditions. It is usually cool early in the morning as you arrive at the start line, but it usually warms up as you wait for the start. There will be a sweat shuttle that will take your gym bag (well marked with your name on it) over the bridge to Ansonborough Field. You can take your sweats off, put them in the bag, and put them on the shuttle prior to the start. A lot of people bring a big trash bag with them, cut  slits in them for the arms and head, and wear them until the race starts (or until they warm up enough).  Do drink plenty of water during the race, especially if it's warm that morning.  There will be several water stations setup along the course. Take advantage of them.  Do give everyone around you enough space to run/walk. It will be  crowded.  Do visit the Bridge Run Web site at http://www.bridgerun.com for the latest information.     Friday, March 25, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.