Foot Race Over the Vincent Thomas on Monday - Acrophobics Discouraged From Participating

Sweeping views and a rare opportunity to traverse the towering Vincent Thomas Bridge by foot are on tap for Monday's 8 a.m. "Conquer the Bridge" 5K race.

The race offers the public a chance for the first time in decades to run - or walk - over the 185-foot high span, which has been closed to foot traffic for most of its 46-year existence. The heavily traveled bridge will be closed to vehicles for three hours (8-11 a.m.) and organizers are placing rubber mats on the eight open metal grates along the span to ensure participants don't fall through the cracks and into the shipping channel below.

Starting and ending points are at Fifth Street and Harbor Boulevard, and medals will be awarded to top finishers. About 1,200 people have signed up so far, including fitness fanatic/ San Pedro councilwoman Janice Hahn. 

Entry forms and more info are available at www.conquerthebridge.com. Registration is required - the cost is $37 - and is available through race day.

Just be sure and follow the signs while traversing the bridge (cones will guide runners and walkers). One of the last athletes to "conquer" the bridge - Olympic diver Larry Andreasen - was killed when he tried to set an illegal world record by diving from a support span at the bridge's 385-foot-high apex in 1990.

The bridge, built in 1963 to replace ferries that had previously carried people across the port's main shipping channel, may not be as popular or inspiring as the world-famous Golden Gate, but it has its place in pop culture, including extensive footage in the great William Friedkin thriller "To Live and Die In L.A.", where it's featured extensively in shots throughout the film, including closing credits to the sounds of Wang Chung's "Wait."