Each year Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTIA) tries to benefit the community in other ways besides just helping travelers get to other cities by air, and 2020 is no exception.
On Saturday, March 28, PTIA will hold its eleventh annual “Run on the Runway” at 9 a.m. That new start time – an hour later than in past years – means that everyone who comes out to run for a good cause can at least catch a little extra shuteye.
While no one ever needs to offer an excuse for letting everyone sleep in an extra hour in the morning, here’s the official reason for the time change. “The event has been moved to 9 a.m. to allow time for the temperature to warm up before race time… The event was moved to March three years ago to accommodate runway renovations, which has meant that volunteers and runners have been arriving at the event in the early morning hours before sunrise when temperatures are still low.”
The 2020 Run on the Runway includes a 5K run, a 10K run, a mile run (or walk if you choose), a kids’ dash and a 5K untimed Walk to Win Against Hunger.
In addition to the events for the individual runners, teams of runners can also sign up for the “Team Challenge” at www.ptirun.com. Awards will be given for the team with the most members – as well as for the one with the fastest time among the team’s top five runners.
Event organizers are encouraging runners to arrive early to catch a shuttle from the parking area to the runway. This year, participants should arrive at the airport by 8:30 a.m. in order to get to the runway in time for the 10K run at 9 a.m.
Participants are encouraged to bring two non-perishable food items to the run.
The proceeds from the event will go to three local charitable organizations that offer food assistance to meet the immediate needs of area residents, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, Greensboro Urban Ministry and Open Door Ministries of High Point.
In each of the last four years, the airport run has raised over $100,000 for local food banks, and event organizers hope to maintain the $100,000 level in this and in coming years.
Any organization or person wishing to sponsor the event may call Stephanie Freeman at 336-665-5644. Individuals interested in participating in the 5K/10K may register online by visiting www.ptirun.com or by calling the same phone number.
Some of the runway run sponsors are WGHP Fox8, Rock92/WKZL and Lamar Outdoor Advertising.
