THE runaway bride helped Katie Couric clobber the competition.

Couric’s exclusive “Dateline” interview with Jennifer Wilbanks – the woman who ran away a few days before her huge wedding – won its time period Tuesday night.

About 8.7 million viewers tuned in to hear Wilbanks explain why she skipped out on fiancé John Mason and sparked a nationwide search. Mason sat beside Wilbanks for the interview and answered questions, too.

The pair still plan to marry.