MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) - Are you tackling the Cooper River Bridge Run for the first time? Whether you are planning your first run or you've participated in years past, we've got everything you need to know for a successful race day. Race participants should stop by the Bridge Run Expo on T hursday or Friday to pick up their race day packet, which includes bib number, computer timing chip, event information, sponsor gifts, and a Cooper River Bridge Run t-shirt. The expo, held at the Charleston Area Convention Center, runs from noon until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday. Packets cannot be picked up on race day. Prepare for warmer temperatures for this year's bridge run. Saturday morning will start cool, but temperatures could reach the record high of 89°. BUS SHUTTLES AND TRANSPORTATION Buses will be available between Charleston and Mount Pleasant on Saturday. Buses headed to the start line run from 5:00 a.m. to 6:45 a.m., and you will need your race bib to board the bus. Return buses will leave from downtown Charleston beginning at 10:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. to get racers back to their parking areas. Buses will be marked according to the four parking areas. Strollers will not be permitted. For more information about bus shuttles, please click here. BOAT SHUTTLE You can purchase boat shuttle tickets for race day. The names of those who purchase tickets will be on a list at the dock. The Boat Ferry to Patriots Point leaves from the Fountain Walk Dock (on Concord Street, just north of the SC Aquarium at the end of Calhoun Street) Boarding will begin at 5:45 a.m., and the first vessel will leave at 6:00 a.m. The second will leave at 6:30 a.m., and the third will depart at 6:45 a.m. Shuttle buses will carry participants to Coleman Boulevard from Patriots Point. After the race, boat shuttles will depart for Patriots Point starting at 11:00 a.m. and leave every thirty minutes, with the last departure at 12:30 p.m. SWEAT SHUTTLE If you do not want to run with your bag, ‘sweat shuttle’ trucks will be located at the corner of Live Oak Drive at Coleman Boulevard and Chuck Dawley Blvd. near the Sea Island Shopping Center. These trucks will take your bags (which must be pre-labeled with your name and phone number) until 7:40 a.m. The truck will be parked at the end-of-race festival (corner of John and Meeting streets) until noon. Any items not claimed after noon will be donated to Goodwill. SWEEPER BUS A so-called sweeper bus on Patriots Point Road at Coleman Boulevard will start up the bridge at 10:30 a.m. to pick up any stragglers that have not made it over. THE STARTING LINE AND RACE ROUTE The starting line for Saturday’s Cooper River Bridge Run is located near Simmons Street in front of Moultrie Middle School in Mount Pleasant. Heat markers begin near the Moultrie Shopping Center. Organizers say you must wear your race bib number to be allowed on the course and shuttles. Runners must position themselves by pace and color-coded heat numbers. There are 6 race categories Walk or Walk-Run Run – Over 70 Minutes Run – 60 – 70 Minutes Run – 50 to 60 Minutes  (Verification Required) Run – 45 to 50 Minutes ( Verification Required) Run – Under 45 min Competitive (Verification Required) Run – Under 40 Minutes Seeded (Verification Required) There will be porta johns staged along the race route, along with water and first aid sections for those who need them. Bands will also be positioned along the route to pump you up for the big race! The race will finish at Marion Square, where participants will find food, refreshments, entertainment, vendors, and souvenirs. The race starts at 8:00 a.m., and racers should be in line by 7:00 a.m. ROAD CLOSURES Several roads will begin closing in both Mount Pleasant and downtown Charleston on Friday in preparation for the Cooper River Bridge Run. See a list of closures and times below: Delays are expected on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant beginning Friday at 9:00 a.m. as setup begins. The following roads will be closed beginning on Friday CHARLESTON George Street between King Street and Anson Street will be closed from 9:00 PM on Friday, April 4, until 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 5. Meeting Street between Calhoun and Wentworth will be closed at 9:00 PM on Friday, April 4. Traffic re-opens on Saturday, April 5, following finish line cleanup, near 2:00 PM. Society St. and Wentworth St. will open as soon as the roadways are safe from the event cleanup. Road closures for Saturday morning MOUNT PLEASANT Coleman Boulevard from Fairmount to Hibben will close at 3:00 a.m. Coleman Boulevard from Chuck Dawley to Live Oak will close at 5:00 a.m. Coleman Boulevard from Ravenel Bridge to Live Oak will close at 6:00 a.m. (expected to reopen around 10:00 a.m.) All lanes of the Ravenel Bridge will close at 7:00 a.m., with a diversion of all southbound traffic onto Mathis Ferry Road. The bridge will reopen once all runners are clear. Areas along Coleman Blvd. will begin opening around 10:00 a.m., except for Fairmont Avenue, Hibben Street, and Chuck Dawley Blvd., which will open around 11:00 a.m. or once all runners and volunteers are clear from the race course. CHARLESTON Calhoun Street from Meeting Street to Anson Street will be closed to all traffic from 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with resident-only traffic until 4:00 a.m., and the road will close entirely (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Calhoun Street from King Street to East Bay Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen around 2:00 p.m.) Hutson Street from King Street to Meeting Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Meeting Street from John Street to Wentworth Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen around 2:00 pm.) **Wentworth and Society will be open until 6:00 a.m. unless pedestrian traffic forces early closure** Charlotte Street from Elizabeth Street to Meeting Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Henrietta Street from Elizabeth Street to Meeting Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Elizabeth Street from Calhoun Street to Charlotte Street will close at 4:00 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) George Street from East Bay Street to King Street will close at 4:30 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Anson Street from Calhoun Street to Society Street will close at 4:30 a.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Alexander Street from Charlotte Street to George Street will close at 4:30 p.m. (expected to reopen at 2:00 p.m.) Arthur Ravenel Bridge Wonderway Lane will close at 6:30 a.m. to clear pedestrians (it will remain closed until the bridge reopens, typically between 11:00 a.m. and noon) Race Route will close at 6:00 a.m.: Meeting Street from Romney Street to Woolfe Street and John Street to Hasell Street Woolfe Street from Meeting Street to King Street King Street from Cannon Street to Hasell Street Wentworth Street from King Street to Meeting Street Society Street from King Street to Meeting Street George Street from King Street to Meeting Street Hutson Street from King Street to Meeting Street **The race route will reopen streets as runners finish and crews clear the roads. Most are expected to be open by noon. ...read more read less