STL Day on the Runway 5K

Due to some schedule changes, I was able to sign up for this race at the last minute.  I thought the concept was unique, since I had never heard of a race course on an airport runway.  The 5k race and the plane pull benefit Special Olympics - Missouri, which is an amazing organization.  I also work for an agency that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, and many of our sports leagues feed into the Special Olympics system, so my registration would make an impact for some of our athletes.  The weather was cold and dreary (hence the dark pictures below), but the race was still great fun!

Why you should run this race:

• Proceeds benefit the Special Olympics - Missouri.
• You get to run on a runway at Lambert International Airport!!!
• The course is a large loop, entirely on the runway.

Waiting to start

Runners behind me

 

• The pavement is obviously in pristine condition, so no potholes!
• Free off-site parking, and then you are shuttled to/from the airport. 
• Tech t-shirts for both the 5k and the plane pull.
• Medals for 5k finishers.

• Post-race food included water, gatorade, granola bars, and bananas.
• Food trucks on site.

• Bounce houses and a bubble bus for kiddos.
• The airport had many of their snow clearing and runway maintenance vehicles on display along the course, which were absolutely massive!

• Various St. Louis Police and Fire Department entities also had their vehicles and equipment on display. 

I found this race through Fleet Feet's website and enewsletters but you can also find events benefiting the Special Olympics - Missouri on their Special Events website.  This was the first year for this event, so I hope it was successful enough to return in 2019.