Run beside an active runway!  The Runway 5K is exciting and unique - with exciting changes this year!

Ready to run the FLATTEST 5K in the mountains?  And how about a morning with music, local food trucks (think coffee, smoothies, pastries) and better-than-ever plane spotting?

Asheville Regional Airport looks forward to welcoming you to the airfield!  

Our race is the most unique 5K in the mountains – it’s completely FLAT, and hey – it’s on the airfield of the airport.  Racers will run on Taxiway Bravo, beside our active Runway 17-35.  And NEW this year – we're moving the entire event to a new location on the north side of the airfield, so all attendees will be much closer to the taxiway and runway in the festival area. Be sure to wave to the passengers in the planes that will be taking off and landing while you run!  What are you waiting for?

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Through September 26, 2023

$35    Short-sleeved race shirt guaranteed

$50    Long-sleeved race shirt guaranteed

September 27 - October 4, 2023 (Late registration)

$40    Short-sleeved race shirt, while supplies last

$55    Long-sleeved race shirt, while supplies last

Race T-shirts guaranteed to all who register by September 26, 9pm.  After that date, T-shirts are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

NOTE:  THERE WILL BE NO WALK-UP REGISTRATION.  All racers must register no later than October 4, 2023, or before race sells out.

*Note: The race will be held, rain or shine.  If an unforeseen circumstance causes the race to cancel, a new date will be chosen in Spring 2024, and all registered participants will be notified.  No refunds will be issued.

**If the race sells out prior to race day, there will not be a walk-up registration option.  Updates will be posted here.  There are 1,000 spots available.

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*NEW PARKING LOCATION*  20 PINNER ROAD ARDEN, NC 28704

Parking for the day of the event will be at 20 Pinner Road, Arden, NC 28704, off of Glenn Bridge Rd, and participants will be shuttled to the race site.  Watch for event parking signs and parking personnel.

IMPORTANT!  Please be advised that it will take time to shuttle all participants (1,000+) to the race site.  We will have multiple shuttles running continuously, but please plan time for this.  Shuttles will operate from 7:30am until 9:20am (prior to race).  THE LAST SHUTTLE (44 PASSENGERS) WILL DEPART AT 9:20AM - so ARRIVE EARLY!  Shuttles begin again at approximately 11am, after the race.  

More details will be included here closer to the race date.
 

Friday, October 6

4-6pm
Packet pick-up, Hunter Subaru, 220 Hunter Airport Drive, Fletcher, NC 28732

Saturday, October 7

7:30am
Shuttles to race venue begin running (and will run continuously throughout event)

7:40am – 9:30am
Packet pick-up/Late Registration – race venue

10am
5K start

11:15am (ish)
Awards Ceremony

It is strongly recommended that racers pick up their race packets the day before the event.  Packet/t-shirt pick-up will take place:

WHEN? — Friday, October 6, 4-6pm

WHERE? — Hunter Subaru,  220 Hunter Airport Drive
Fletcher, NC 28732  THANK YOU, Hunter Subaru - Global Elite Sponsor!

DAY-OF-RACE PACKET PICK-UP:  
A race registration and check-in table will be open at the event site, beginning at 7:40am.  Please allow ample time to park, shuttle and pick up your packet. Lines could be long, so please plan accordingly (shuttles begin running at 7:30am - it is important to arrive early so you don't miss the race).

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All who register by September 26, 2023 (9pm) are guaranteed a race t-shirt in the size ordered, either short-sleeved or long-sleeved, depending upon registration. Those who register after September 26-October 4, 2023 (9pm) 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 the evening before the event, and only a limited quantity of extra t-shirts will be ordered.

*Please note:  there is a supply chain issue with t-shirts.  There may be several different colors produced, depending upon supply availability at the time of our order.

WATER

Limited water 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!  

PETS

No pets allowed.  Sorry!  We love our furry friends but can’t have them near 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 snack tent will be stationed.

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 end-to-end on Taxiway Bravo, just 150 feet to the east is the active runway, where planes will be taking off and landing during the race (so cool!).

2023 COURSE MAP

Be sure to register by September 26 to be guaranteed a t-shirt in the size you ordered. We will order a limited supply of extra short-sleeved t-shirts, and they will be available on a first-come, first served basis to racers who register after the t-shirt cut-off date.

Overall and age-category winners will receive finisher medals, and overall winners will receive additional prizes.

AB-Tech Aviation Scholarship Fund

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WNC Pilots Association
 Scholarship Fund

GLOBAL ELITE SPONSORS