Runners ran in the 2013 New Balance Ringling Bridge Run on Saturday, Jan. 19 starting at the Van Wezel to raise funds for the Sarasota YMCA. Two thousand one hundred eighty three people ran the 10th annual run during the cool morning. Thousands of runners raced down Tamiami Trail and across the bridge. Blue and red police car lights blinked in the midst of the gigantic crowd. Sergeant Mark Optiz of the Sarasota Police Department has been running for 30 years but also works at the race every year. 'I have fun cheering people on,' Opitz said. 'When people cheer you on it makes you run faster so that's why I do it.'
