The 2018 Mackinac Bridge Walk The people moving from the right to the left in the foreground have already walked from Mackinaw City to St. Ignace and are "Double Crossing" and are walking back to the south end of the Mighty Mac. |
||||||
The 2022 Mackinac Bridge Walk is on. At this time no changes have been announced to the walk for 20212. This page will me updated if changes are announced. For the present time, this is the best information of what to expect in 2022. People could begin the 2021 Mackinac Bridge Walk anytime between 7AM and 11:30AM, and walk as much of the bridge as they are able to do before the bridge reopens to traffic at noon. New since 2018, people can now start their Mackinac Bridge Walk from either end of the Mighty Mac and there are no busses traveling across the bridge during the walk. The new rules mean that even though the walk ends at noon, people can walk at least a little of the bridge, as long as they arrive before 11:30AM. Some people start at 7AM and walk all the way across the Mackinac Bridge and back to where they started (10 miles). They call themselves "Double Crossers" and many buy "Double Crosser" T-shirts. Many walk all the way across one way, either having arranged to get to the far side of the bridge before the walk, returning by way of Mackinac Island, or returning after the bridge reopened to traffic. Other people walk part way across (perhaps the middle) and back. If new options are announced, they will be added to this page. Walkers wishing to walk all the way across the Mackinac Bridge must reach the midpoint by 10AM. The same applies to walkers walking all the way across and back again. Starting at 10AM, the turn around point starts moving from the center toward each end, so that people have time to return to the end they started from. No one can begin their walk after 11:30AM. People who have never walked the bridge because of physical limitations, or fears of the highest suspended middle, are finally able to experience being on the bridge. Some may only go a few hundred yards, while others walk a mile or more, knowing they can turn around before reaching their limit. Mackinac Bridge walkers park on the streets near the foot of the Mackinac Bridge in Mackinaw City, or park in downtown St. Ignace, much farther away. There is very little parking next the Mackinac Bridge on the north side. Their is no shuttle in St. Ignace in 2021. To manage the thousands of people who walk the bridge, the following are NOT permitted: smoking, signs, banners, umbrellas, bicycles, roller skates, skateboards, wagons and other similar devices. Baby strollers and wheelchairs are allowed on the bridge during the walk. The ONLY animals permitted are working service dogs. There are no rest rooms on the bridge, but there are huge banks of portable toilets at both ends. Although the walk can be completed in about an hour, the typical walk all the way across, or to the half way point and back, will take about 90 minutes to 2 hours. No running or jogging is permitted. For many years, there was a walking race at the beginning of the Mackinac Bridge Walk. Competitors were required to walk heal to toe and running or jogging could result in a disqualification. The mightymac.org Webmaster competed in the walking race in 1967 at age 13 and finished 5th in his age group with a time of about 56 minutes. The run is limited to 700 participants. More recently, there is a Labor Day Run for runners and wheeling athletes which begins from the north end of the Mackinac Bridge at 6:40AM. Athletes must be able to complete each mile in 12 minute pace or less. Registration for the 2022 walk opens on January 1 at 11AM. Registration for the Labor Day Bridge Run. The Labor Day Bridge Run is limited to the first 700 people to register. Registration includes bus transportation from the Mackinaw City Recreation Center to the starting line on the bridge prior to the run, a technical tee shirt, finisher medal, finish line photos and a custom bib. PRIVATE TRAFFIC: From 6:30AM - Noon, Northbound I-75 traffic will be stopped at Exit 337 on the south end of the bridge; southbound US-2 and I-75 traffic will be stopped at Exit 344 on the north side. Mackinac Bridge Authority mechanics will patrolled to assist motorists with vehicle problems.
Mackinac Bridge Walk Fact Sheet & Tips There is no charge to walk the Mackinac Bridge.
2018 Bridge Walk Photos & Report copyright 1959-2021 by Keith Stokes. These Mackinac Bridge photos may not be reproduced without written permission. My home page |
