Galloping Gertie
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Galloping Gertie is the nickname of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, a local icon that spans the Puget Sound between Tacoma and Gig Harbor, Washington. Crossing it provides breathtaking views of the Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains.
The original Tacoma Narrows Bridge suffered a catastrophic collapse in November 1940, just four months after it opened. It earned its nickname while it was under construction, when workers observed the bridge deck jump during periods of high wind. A fatal error in the engineering of the bridge resulted in its collapse when the winds caused something called aeroelastic flutter. At the time, Gertie was the third longest suspension bridge in the world.
The replacement bridge opened in1950 (this is the existing westbound bridge) and the newer eastbound bridge opened in 2007. The engineering disaster that resulted the collapse of the bridge makes the Tacoma Narrows Bridge one of the more famous in the world.
Related Events
Did you know that this race is part of a series of runs? If you like this race you may want to run one of the following The Super Series events.
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Trail
Run Pick of the Month - Portland Marathon
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Enjoy a course with gorgeous views of Portland's waterfront, several bridge crossings, and a full tour of some of the city's most iconic landmarks!
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