The last chance to participate in one of Ireland’s most novel mass participation events is just days away, with the final gun set to sound for the Shannon Airport Runway Run.
After five years of Ireland’s first airport Runaway Run, over 1,500 will go to the tape when the fifth successive run takes place on Friday night, bringing an end to an event that will have had over 8,000 participants in all over the five years.
Organisers are expecting a bumper crowd but have stressed that there are still some places up for grabs.
It will also be the first opportunity for participants to enjoy the smooth new surface of the Shannon Airport runway, which got a complete overlay last year at a cost of €15million.
The event’s appeal has not just been the novelty of running on an airport runway – the Shannon Runway Run was the first such event to be held when it was first staged in 2014 – but it also raises much needed funds for local charities, with over €100,000 donated from the four runs so far.
All proceeds from Friday night will go to Shannon Group’s two designated and worthy charities for 2018, Clare Crusaders and Share A Dream.
Looking ahead to the event, Shannon Airport Director of Operations Niall Maloney said that it promises to be a fitting finale to the event.
“It’s our final one so we are determined it’s going to be a big one. We’ve had great fun with the event over the past five years and, more importantly, the runners have also.
There’s such a buzz at the event, which suits all levels of fitness. We’ve had people doing a personal best for the 5km but we’ve had many others who just enjoy getting out there and walking it.”
