Runners will finally scale the Sunshine Skyway during 10K race

ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - After years of planning, it's finally happening. A 10K race will take place on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which happens to be exactly 10 kilometers long.

For decades, it has been a cool idea tossed with around running groups. But now, runners around the world are signing up to scale the bridge in the Skyway 10K on March 4, 2018. It will be the first run over the bridge since it was dedicated in 1987.

"This has been a massive undertaking and it will continue to be a massive undertaking until the day of the race," explained James Judge of the Armed Forces Families Foundation, the group behind the race.

About 7,000 runners have signed up to lace up and compete in the race across the Sunshine Skyway.

The runners will be bused from Tropicana Field to the south side of the bridge. They'll do the run across and then be bused back for the awards ceremony.

Organizers say the race will raise more than half a million dollars for the Armed Forces Families Foundation.

For those not running the race, it’s still worth noting some traffic changes that will take place.

The morning of Sunday, March 4, the northbound side of the Skyway will be closed from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Interstate 275 southbound will stay open.

Organizers say a lot of research and studies have gone into making things run smoothly.

"The amount of time it's going to take to close the bridge has been minimized,” explained FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins. “We are trying to help out a very worthy cause without it having a very dramatic effect on Tampa Bay."

Breathtaking views and the elevation challenge is expected to make it a destination run that will attract runner from all over the world.

The entry fee for the race is $75 and is expected to sell out fast.