AVL Runway 5K

The race is limited to 1,000 participants

All race-day activities will take place at the southwest corner of the airport. There is no parking on site, but shuttles will take you and your supporters to and from the race venue via a parking area across from Corcoran River Park at 9 Pinner Road in Arden.

IMPORTANT: use Google Maps for directions; DO NOT use Apple Maps because it gives incorrect driving directions based on your starting point. You do NOT access the parking area via the airport campus. You will access Pinner Road from Glenn Bridge Road.

It is strongly recommended that racers pick up their race packets the day before the event.

Schedule

Friday, October 10

4:00-6:00 PM Packet Pickup - Location TBA

[If McCormick Field- Packet Pickup will be located to the right of the stadium main gate and merchandise store. Look for the Packet Pick Up banner outside of the gate. You may park in the stadium parking lot off McCormick Place or in the street parking spaces along Buchanan.]

You may pick up for another person provided you know their date of birth and sign for their packet. Those participants, 18 and older, who were registered by someone else must have signed their online waiver (they would have received emails from EnMotive to do so) in order for someone else to pick up their packet.

Saturday, October 11

7:30 AM Shuttles to the race venue begin running - Corcoran River Park (9 Pinner Road, Arden, NC) Corcoran Paige River Park (9 Pinner Road, Arden, NC – accessed off of Glenn Bridge Road, not via the airport campus)

7:45-9:30 AM Packet Pickup/Late Registration - Race Venue

10:00 AM 5K Start

10:45 AM Shuttles to parking resume

11:15 AM (ish) Awards Ceremony

Please allow ample time to park, shuttle and pick up your packet. Lines could be long, so please plan accordingly. It will take approximately 1.5 hours to shuttle all participants to the race site - please keep this in mind when planning your arrival.

The Runway 5K course is really fun! It begins on a road near the airfield. Once you enter the taxiway (that was our active runway for many years), you will run south to the end, loop around and run north to the other end, and then back again to the finish line. Just 150 feet to the east is the active runway, where planes will be taking off and landing during the race (so cool!).

Due to the nature of this venue and the need to keep the area completely free of debris, there will not be an aid station on the course. You may carry your non-disposable water bottle with you on the course.

All who registered by September 14 (9pm) are guaranteed a race t-shirt in the size ordered. Those who registered after September 14 will receive t-shirts on a first-come, first-served basis, while sizes and supplies last. We anticipate that most or all t-shirts will be distributed at packet pick-up, and only a limited quantity of extra t-shirts will be ordered.

People of all ages, ability and motivation are invited to participate! Please remember, you are running (or walking) on a former runway, directly beside an active runway. For this reason, we have a few special rules:

Water

No water stations will be available on the course. We must be extra careful about trash or other items that could blow around the airfield. Racers are allowed to bring water with them, but water must be in reusable containers (no disposable/recyclable bottles), and racers must keep water bottles with them at all times. We must keep the airfield clear of any debris, so nothing may be discarded while on the airfield!

Spectators

Only registered racers will be allowed on the airfield. Others in attendance may view the race (and do their own plane-spotting) at the finish line site, where a music stage and food trucks will be stationed.

Safety

This is a foot-race. No bikes, no in-line skates, no roller skates and no wheeled vehicles (like bikes) will be allowed on the course, other than those used by wheelchair users and those pushing jogging strollers. For the safety of all, those using wheelchairs or jogging strollers will be asked to start the race in the back of the pack.

Ear plugs for protection while running will be available upon request at the racer check-in table.

Because the course is within a secure area of the airport, public safety officers will be on hand to ensure the area remains secure, to monitor first aid needs and to direct traffic. Please follow the direction of all safety officers.

For your convenience, we will have a bag drop area at the race venue where you can leave a small bag. Look for the Bag Drop flag near Packet Pick Up.

No pets allowed. Sorry! We love our furry friends, but can’t have them near the airfield.

Parking for the day of the event will be at a parking area across from Corcoran River Park, (9 Pinner Road, Arden, NC 28704 - access via Glenn Bridge Road), and participants will be shuttled to the race site.

IMPORTANT! The FIRST shuttle leaves the parking area at 7:45 AM; the LAST shuttle before the race leaves at 9:40 AM (racers will be given priority closer to race time). Each shuttle seats 44 people so we can’t accommodate everyone if you all arrive later. PLEASE PLAN AMPLE TIME TO SHUTTLE TO THE EVENT!

The awards ceremony will take place near the finish line. Special commemorative awards will be presented to the top three male and female overall finishers and the top three male and female masters finishers. Age group awards will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in the following age brackets: 12 & Under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80 & Over

If you cannot stay for the awards ceremony, please ask a friend to pick it up for you. Awards will not be mailed.