Runway5K | Asheville Regional Airport

REGISTER TODAY!

Run beside an active runway! The AVL Runway 5K is exciting and unique!

Ready to run the FLATTEST 5K in the mountains? How about a morning with music, local food trucks (think coffee and 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. Once again, the event is located 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?

VIEW THE 2024 PHOTOs

COURSE & EVENT map

Questions?

For general race questions: CLICK HERE

For all other questions: CLICK HERE

*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 2025, and all registered participants will be notified. No refunds will be issued.

Runway 5K photo

fees

May 11, 2025 - September 14, 2025 (9pm)

$35 Short-sleeved race shirt (guaranteed)

$50 Premium long-sleeved race shirt (guaranteed)

September 14, 2025 (9pm) - October 8, 2025

$40 Short-sleeved race shirt guaranteed (while supplies last)

$55 Premium long-sleeved race shirt guaranteed (while supplies last)

October 11, 2025 (**if available)

$45 Short-sleeved race shirt guaranteed (while supplies last)

$60 Premium long-sleeved race shirt guaranteed (while supplies last)

Race shirts are guaranteed to all who register by September 14, 2025, 9pm. After that date, shirts are available on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.

*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 2025, and all registered participants will be notified. No refunds will be issued.

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

parking

*NEW PARKING LOCATION* 9 PINNER ROAD ARDEN, NC 28704

Parking for the day of the event will be at 9 Pinner Road, Arden, NC 28704, off of Glenn Bridge Rd (directly across the street from Corcoran Ridge River Park), 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 9:40am (prior to race). THE LAST RACER SHUTTLE (44 PASSENGERS) WILL DEPART AT 9:40AM - so ARRIVE EARLY!

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

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Packet Pick-up (4:00pm - 6:00pm)
Location - TBD

Saturday, October 11, 2025

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

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

10:00am
5K start

11:15am (ish)
Awards Ceremony

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

WHEN? — Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (4:00pm - 6:00pm)

WHERE? — TBD

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).

All who register by September 14, 2024 (9pm) are guaranteed a race t-shirt in the size ordered upon registration. Those who register September 14, 2025 (9pm) - October 8, 2025 (9pm), will receive t-shirts on a first-come, first-served basis, while sizes and supplies last.

DETAILS

(Coming soon) Check back here for details about the 2025 race shirt styles.

*Please note: There may be several different colors produced, depending upon supply availability at the time of our order.

We will have super fun music, setting a great party vibe to get you in the mood to race the runway!

We will have food trucks offering coffee, donuts, popsicles and more:

We will have some great AVL merch for sale!

Credit cards only.

rules and safety

People of all ages, ability and motivation are invited to participate!
Please remember, you are running (or walking) on a former runway, directly beside an active runway. For this reason, we have a few special rules:

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, food trucks and merch tent will be stationed.

SAFETY

This is a foot-race. No bikes, no in-line skates, no roller skates and no wheeled vehicles (like bikes) will be allowed on the course, other than those used by wheelchair users and those pushing jogging strollers. For the safety of all, those using wheelchairs or jogging strollers will be asked to start the race in the back of the pack.

Worried about loud airplane noise? We will have special ear plugs for protection while running, for those who need them.

Please follow the direction of all safety officers. Because the course is within a secure area of the airport, public safety officers will be on hand to ensure the area remains secure, to monitor first aid needs and to direct traffic.

The AVL 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!).

2025 COURSE MAP

Be sure to register by September 14, 2025 (9pm) to guarantee your race shirt in the size you ordered. We will order a limited supply of extra shirts, and they will be available on a first-come, first served basis to racers who register after September 14, 2025 (9pm).

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

Supporting aviation education

WE’RE SUPPORTING AVIATION EDUCATION AND LOCAL NONPROFITS!

We are proud that all proceeds from this event will support local aviation education and local nonprofits through the A-B Tech Aviation Scholarship Fund, WNC Pilots Association Foundation Scholarship Fund, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC.

Learn more about these organizations, and their commitment to aviation education and community.