An annual event scheduled at Augusta Regional Airport is drawing increased attention to the airport.
The third annual “Run the Runway” has been set for March 16. It gives individuals the unique opportunity to run a 5k race on one of the runways at the airport.
“The course takes you through Lock and Dam Park and then, it will turn and get you on our property. You’ll run up our runway and down and end on our taxiway,” Lauren Smith, Assistant Director of Marketing & Public Relations at the airport explained to ABD. “This is our secondary runway, and it will be closed for this event. However, our primary is going to be open, so you will get to see some aircraft activity while you run.”
This event is catching the attention of runners from outside the CSRA.
A quick Internet check found it posted on regional and national websites that cater to runners.
It is also growing this year.
For the first two years, it was capped at 600 participants. Smith said this year, they are raising that to 650. She anticipates they will grow the field again in the future.
Additionally, the event is not just for runners.
“This is a community event, and we want to always provide different opportunities for the community to come out and look at our airport,” said Smith. “Oftentimes, we have those that don’t travel the air, however, they may have friends and family that travel and we want them to look at Augusta and be the airport of choice. So, the more the merrier.”
Nestled inside the fun is a serious purpose for the run.
It is designed as a fundraiser for a local organization.
“We try to always partner with a military organization because we have such a vast military presence in our community,” Smith said. “This year, we are partnering with America’s Warrior Partnership, which is primarily grounded in Augusta, however, they have connections throughout the country, and they help with suicide prevention as well as other resources for veterans and active military.”
The morning will start with a kid’s fun run at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5k at 9:00 a.m.
Additional information and registration are available at www.flyags.com. Under “Community,” there is an Events tab that shows current events, and Run the Runway is there.
It is also posted on www.runsignup.com
