Runway 5K Racer Instructions

What you need to know before arriving for the race - read carefully!

 

1.    PACKET PICK UP FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14 from 4-6pm

 

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It is strongly recommended that you pick up your race packet at this time, as access to the race site is via shuttle only, and timing could be tight the day of the race. You may pick up a packet for someone else if that person has signed the waiver. You will be asked the person’s date of birth and to sign for the packet. Parents/guardians must sign for minors.

2.     RACE DAY – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 – ARRIVE EARLY! NO JOKE. WE DON’T WANT YOU TO MISS THE EVENT!

Race time is 10AM – but it will take significant time to shuttle all 1,000 participants and their family members to the event site! Event site opens at 7:30am (first shuttle leaves parking area at 7:30 am, and the LAST shuttle before the race leaves at 9:20 AM, and racers will be given priority closer to race time. Each shuttle seats 44 people, so we can’t accommodate everyone if you all arrive later). PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE – PLAN AMPLE TIME TO SHUTTLE TO THE EVENT. Race check-in tent opens at 7:40am. (We’ve got you covered for the time before the race – music, plane spotting, snack concessions & fun start at 8:00 am.)

3.     PARKING

Gate 7 parking lot at the WNC Ag Center, accessed via Hwy 280 (in-between the airport and Broadmoor Golf Links). Watch for AIRPORT EVENT signs. The WNC Ag Center is located on Hwy 280 just past the airport – and Gate 7 is the LAST Ag Center parking lot on the left.

From Asheville:

Take I-26 East to Exit 40. Make a right turn off the ramp on to Airport Road, 280. Go past Fanning Bridge Road and continue on Airport Road, 280 to gate 7 on the left.

From Hendersonville:

Take I-26 West to Exit 40. Make a left turn off the ramp on to Airport Road, 280. Go past Fanning Bridge Road and continue on Airport Road, 280 to gate 7 on the left.

 

Shuttle buses will operate between the parking area and the event site, starting at 7:30 am, and ending at approximately 2pm (with a brief STOP during peak race time). One ADA accessible bus will be available for those with special needs or strollers.

PLAN AMPLE TIME TO SHUTTLE TO THE EVENT! Racers will be given priority closer to race time, and the last shuttle prior to the race departs at 9:20pm.

*All attendees must arrive and depart via shuttle.

4.     WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE EVENT SITE

• Race check-in opens at 7:40am
• Bag check tent (drop off bag, pick up by noon – no access to bag available in-between)
• Large tent with DJ
• Concession stand with drinks and snacks (everything will be $2, credit cards only) - please note:  you can bring your own snacks and water, if preferred.  
•  AB-Tech Aviation and WNC Pilots Association aviation experts
• Star 104.3 FM Van
• PLANE SPOTTING! You will be adjacent to Asheville Regional Airport’s active runway!

5. BAG CHECK

There will be a bag check station for racers. PLEASE NOTE: once you drop off your bag there will be no re-entry until you pick it up. Please make sure you have everything you need from your bag— you will not be able to access it until after the race. Please pick up your bag by noon.

6.     COURSE, WATER, TIMING, AWARDS –

*PLEASE NOTE: You may bring your own non-disposable water bottles with you on the course.  There will also be airport team members with water bottles on the course, if you need one. YOU MUST DISPOSE OF WATER BOTTLES IN THE PROVIDED RECYCLING BINS. We cannot have debris on the racecourse that could blow over onto the airfield. There will also be water and granola bars at the finish for all racers. 

AWARDS CEREMONY will take place at approximately 11:15 AM. No awards will be mailed. 

(Concession stand will be open until approximately noon, so racers can buy snacks after the race, if desired.)

7.     RACE SHIRTS

Those who registered by the t-shirt cutoff (September 16 at 9pm) will receive the shirt/size they ordered at race pick-up. 

Those who registered after the cutoff may receive shirts at packet pick-up, while sizes and supplies last. 

T-shirt exchange will be available AFTER the race at the event site, for those who want to trade for a different size, if available.

8.    RESULTS

Live results will be available during the race.

SEE RESULTS HERE

9.     WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

• The event site is a large field. You may bring a camp chair or blanket to enjoy the music and plane-spotting. (Watch the weather and plan accordingly.)
• Water & snacks! There will be water for racers, and a limited supply of water, gatorade & snacks for sale – but it’s a good idea to bring snacks and water for your group.
• Credit card – snacks and drinks for sale, but no cash accepted! Proceeds benefit local aviation scholarship funds. All items are $2 each.

10.     I’M A WALKER – WILL I HAVE TIME TO FINISH THE COURSE?

We hope everyone will enjoy running and/or walking on the airfield. However, we can’t be out there all day! There is a possibility that if you are a walker, and you’ve walked pretty slowly, very friendly airport folk will use official-looking airport vehicles to create a detour and direct you to turn around if time is running short.

11. IMPORTANT, IMPORTANT, IMPORTANT! NO FEET ON GRASS – OR YOU’LL BE REMOVED FROM THE RACE.

The Runway 5K course is on an airfield, adjacent to an active runway. There are significant safety protocols – and all racers MUST remain on the hard surface (the gravel entry road and the paved taxiway). Airport security will be stationed along the course. If a racer is seen walking/running in the grass area adjacent to the taxiway, airport security will have to remove that racer from the event. 

PARENTS – please ensure your children understand this rule. Thank you!

12. SORRY – NO PETS. NO BIKES. Strollers are ok.