Beat the Bridge was a 8K race, 3 mile walk, or 1 mile fun run. It is an event sponsored by Nordstrom and JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) to help raise money to cure, prevent, and better treat Type 1 diabetes. The event is called Beat the Bridge because the course travels over Seattle’s University Bridge, which is raised during the race. Participants try to cross the bridge before it is raised. Those who don't beat the bridge must wait, with a live band and entertainment, for the bridge to come back down and then able to finish the race.