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.”
The Airport Operations Director also urged people who intend participating to book early this week:
“We’ve also been blessed with the weather and Friday night is looking good in this regard. We have the newly laid runway surface and we’ve got some fantastic prizes, including flights, for our draw. So, everything is at the ready.
“We’ve got good numbers already booked in for the event but we expect many more this week and we would suggest the earlier that people can book the better.”
Links for online entry can be found on both the Shannon Airport web and Facebook sites or alternatively on the www.eventmaster.ie website. All who register will be entered in draws for attractive spot prizes of flights to some of Shannon’s favourite destinations for Summer 2018.
Participants are urged to book early this week for remaining spots.
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