400 runners cross Halifax’s Macdonald Bridge during MACPASS Miles race

The Macdonald Bridge was closed to vehicle traffic on Sunday as part of Halifax Harbour Bridges’ MACPASS Miles race – a run that will need a new name next year.

The race sold out all 400 available spots, with categories for youth, children, men and women.

“It’s been growing every year,” said Steve Proctor, a spokesperson for HHB. “We’ve grown it as a community event.”

Corwin Trottier ran the race with his young daughter, pushing her stroller along, taking a sixth-place finish.

“I came here three years ago, before she was born. I did the race for the first time then, and I wanted to come back and give her the experience,” he told CTV News.

It was also a family affair for Kim Legge, who ran in the women’s category prior to her granddaughter’s run.

“I love doing it with her,” she said. “I loved it. How can you not? You get to run the bridge. It’s quick. It’s fun. There’s so many people.”

Daniel Lord was pleased with his first-place result in the men’s category.

“It was so hard, my lungs are burning right now,” Lord said. “I was happy to be under five minutes. I usually run the 800m, so the mile’s a bit long for me.”

Bridge work

Activities, performances, a walk and a chance to ask experts about bridge construction were included in Sunday’s festivities. Runners were able to look at some of the rejected coins from the bridge toll booths that were removed in March.

After recent tower work, there’s a renewed 75-year lifespan for the Macdonald Bridge. Painting is ongoing, but that won’t lead to any closures.

The 55-year-old MacKay Bridge was only built to last 50 years though, meaning there is a big decision is on the horizon.

“We’ve got to decide whether to rehabilitate or to build a new bridge,” said Proctor, the Halifax Harbour Bridges spokesperson. “That’s a discussion that’s happening. But while it’s happening, we’re maintaining the bridge and we’ll continue to do so.”

There will be two MacKay bridge closures coming up – one in August and then in September – for cable inspection.

The MACPASS Miles race will need a new name next year as MACPASSES are a thing of the past. Halifax Harbour Bridges is looking for name suggestions.

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