Pensacola’s Double Bridge Run Offers Scenic Views of Northwest Florida
Enjoy Florida Scenery during a 15K Run
By Nick Gandy
With all the waterways and bridges in the peninsula of Florida, it’s no surprise that somewhere along the way, a running enthusiast said, “What if we run over the bridge? Wouldn’t that fun?”
Surprise! The idea caught on.
This year’s Double Bridge Run, across the Pensacola Bay Bridge and the Bob Sikes Bridge, is now in its 29th year and as of a week before the race, it is SOLD OUT!
Over 4,500 runners will be crossing the two bridges, leading to Pensacola Beach, on Saturday, with 3,000 registered for the 15K Run and 1,500 in the 5K. Runners from 46 states and the District of Columbia, along with runners from the United Kingdom, will be enjoying the northwest Florida scenery.
“It was an idea that came about from my predecessor (Shirley Cronley) at Pensacola Sports and a group of people involved with the organization,” said Ray Palmer, President/CEO of Pensacola Sports. “
The original race in 1997 was a 10K race starting at the foot of the Pensacola Bay Bridge running through Gulf Breeze and onto the Bob Sikes Bridge to Pensacola Beach. The start line has since been moved to Maritime Park and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Baseball Stadium.
The run through the downtown historic Pensacola area has stretched the route to 15K, ending at Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. It gives runners a look at everything Pensacola has to offer. The 5K Runners and Walkers start in Gulf Breeze and only cross one bridge.
The Pensacola Bay Bridge is a three-mile jaunt across Pensacola Bay. The Bob Sikes Bridge across the Santa Rosa Sound isn’t as long but looking at photos from past races, it’s quite a climb to the apex of the bridge.
This annual event is more than a race. Participants encounter music along the course, volunteers offering encouragement, and a beachfront finish line festival at the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk, with local establishments offering a place to unwind.
“With the runners coming in from all over the country and Florida and the race ending at the beach, there’s a tourism component, as well,” added Palmer.
While Florida has experienced record cold temperatures in the last week and even snow flurries in certain areas, temperatures for the weekend are forecasted to be “perfect for runners,” according to Palmer.
“It will be mid-40’s for the start time and 60s by the finish,” he said. “There’s also a little bit of a north wind pushing the runners that will make them very happy.”
Of the 46 states represented in the 2026 race, it seems runners from Colorado fare well in the Double Bridge Run. The overall top finisher in 2025 was a resident of Colorado by way of Florida.
Paul Stafford, a native of Lake Wales, Florida and a three-year letterman at Florida State, transferred to the University of Colorado and finished with a time of 46:19, more than two and half minutes ahead of the second-place finisher.
The 2023 and 2024 winner was Tyler McCandless, also of Boulder, Colorado, and a four-time Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier.
Also on the list of Double Bridge Run winners is Boca Raton’s Sonja Friend-Uhl, a 2025 Florida Senior Games Gold Medalist and record-holder in the 800 and 1500 meter runs in the 50-54 age group. Friend-Uhl was the top female finisher in the 2013 Double Bridge Run.
Besides the Pensacola race, runners cross the Hart Bridge in Jacksonville’s Gate River Run and the Sunshine Skyway, in St. Petersburg’s Sunshine Skyway 10K Run. I’m sure there’s more out there.
We all love a good run or walk on the water in Florida, don’t we?
One final note……
How about the show the Tampa Bay Lightning, the NHL, Raymond James Stadium and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission put on Sunday night for the Stadium Series Game between the Lightning and the Boston Bruins?
What more could you ask for? A crowd of nearly 65,000 witnessing the event with temperatures in the 40s. Lightning players, in full Tampa Bay Bucs throwback creamsicle uniforms led off the bus by Baker Mayfield. A krewe of Pirates welcoming the players and fans to Raymond James Stadium during pre-game ceremonies. ESPN pre-game hosts dressed in Revolutionary War Patriot and Pirate garb. An overtime 6-5 shootout win and even a tussle between the Lightning and Bruins goalies at center ice.
“It was perfect weather out there,” Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh told NHL.com. “Felt like a classic outdoor game. The ice was great. The crowd was with it the whole game. … It was incredible. The way the game went too, it was a little bit of everything. I think if the fans were here tonight, they got their money’s worth and then some.”
It made for a great in stadium experience as well as for television audiences.
Even in the winter months of January and February, we get it right in Florida, don’t we?
Nick Gandy is a 40-year sports communications professional who has worked with the Florida Sports Foundation, the state of Florida’s lead sports promotion and development organization, since 1998.