What It's Like to Run on a Closed Atlanta Airport Runway
Usually if you're running on a runway, something bad just happened. However, once a year, thousands get the chance to do so on Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport's fifth runway. This year, I was one of them.
Hosted by Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed, the "The Mayor's 5K on the 5th Runway" had its third annual race Saturday, September 30. In order to limit the impact on air traffic, the race starts promptly at 6:30am and all walkers must clear off the course by 7:30am. The runway is cleared and swept for debris so that it can be re-opened no later than 8:30am.
Registering
The cost of registering for the 2017 event was $40 if you wanted an official time, t-shirt, medal, drinks and snacks before and after the run. For those of us going with the idea of just going for a fun run, you can save $5 by registering without chip tracking. Either way, there's a few-dollar processing fee, so my wife Katie and I ended up paying $38.95 each.
Getting There
We were staying at a nearby Holiday Inn Express (College Park location — which turned out to be great for plane spotting ATL's south runways). We wouldn't have minded a warm-up walk over to the course, but the roads around the area weren't walkable — especially in the dark. As the race organizers sent out 20% off Uber and Lyft codes, we figured there would be high demand and low supply due to the early morning for rideshares. But, there turned out to be a few drivers free in the area, and our driver was completely unaware of the event yet.
It seems like almost everyone either drove and utilized the free parking at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) or took MARTA to the airport. The race organizers arranged for shuttles to run from both of these spots to the race meeting point at Fire Station #33.
On Site Registration and Security
As this is at an active airport, security is still a high priority. In order to retrieve your race bib, you're going to have to show government-issued identification. Then, each racer undergoes a full search from TSA officers using metal detector wands to enter the fire station.
The festivities kick off as soon as you get inside the fire station, including a dance floor and music to match. After a welcome from the Atlanta Mayor Reed and two US Olympic gold medalists, a marching band played the runners out to the start line, located on taxiway Sierra Golf.
Before we kicked off, walkers and un-timed runners were encouraged to give way to the runners at the front of the pack. Mayor Reed climbed the stairs to the top of the ATL firetruck and counted down to the slightly-early 6:20am start.
The Run
Since it was still dark when we took off, race organizers had set-up floodlights at certain critical turns, set up cones to avoid runners twisting their ankles on the taxiway drop-offs and issued each runner a flashing red armband. In the darkness of the predawn hour, the sea of blinking red lights was quite a mesmerizing sight.
As this is a flat course, many may be prepared to set a new personal best. However, we hadn't done much training and figured we'd just enjoy the experience rather than rushing through it. However, one thing to note for those going for a personal record: go around the black marks! You know those black tire marks you see on runways? Turns out those are very sticky.
For those curious, the runway lights were turned off and large "X" signs were set-up on both ends of the runways to make sure that pilots didn't accidentally line up on it. However, active aircraft weren't far away. Throughout the run, we could hear the roar of aircraft taking off or using reverse thrusters on landing on the nearby runway 9R.
One benefit of taking your time on the run: you get to enjoy a wonderful sunrise as your finish the run.
As with most races, there are a slew of photographers near the finish line. Usually it costs a decent amount to get a professional shot of you hurrying to the finish line. So, I was surprised to get an email "FREE Photography for the Mayor’s 5K on the 5th Runway 2017!" after the race. Sure enough, each racer can download photos for free. While mine weren't the best, the TrueSpeedPhoto photographer got a great shot of Katie:
After the run, there's drinks, recovery snacks and more dancing in the fire station. Meanwhile, many runners took the opportunity to get shots of themselves on ATL taxiway or with one of the airport's Oshkosh firetrucks. T-shirts and medals were handed out to all participants:
However, we couldn't hang out for long. Less than three hours from finishing the run, we had a flight to Rome (FCO) via Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to catch. We were easily able to get an Uber driver located on the far side of the airport to pick us up from the fire station.
Overall Impression
It's probably not going to take much convincing for some of you, but this was an awesome experience. If you're an AvGeek or runner in the Atlanta area, watch for this event in September 2018. If you're looking for a fall trip to the Atlanta area anyway, it might be worth scheduling the trip around this event.
Other Runs on a Runway
From what I can find, here are some other runway runs held across the US:
2018 races scheduled:
- JFK Runway Run: New York JFK; scheduled for April 15, 2018
- Race the Runways 2018: Brunswick, Maine (NHZ); scheduled for April 28, 2018
- Run for the Angels 5K Pompano Beach Airpark 2018: Pompano Beach, FL (PPM); scheduled for May 5, 2018
Other races:
- TPA 5K on the Runway 2017: Tampa (TPA); 2,000 runners; held in April
- Philadelphia International Airport Runway 5K: Philadelphia (PHL); held in August
- Dulles Day 5k/10k on the Runway: Washington Dulles (IAD); 2,500 runners; held in September
- 5K on the Runway Yankee: Detroit Willow Run (YIP); held in September
- Runway 5K: Ithaca, NY (ITH); held in September
- Airbus 5K on the Runway: Mobile Downtown Airport (BFM); held in September (cancelled in 2016 and not held in 2017, but organizers say it will return.)
- FlyBy 5K: Pittsburgh, PA (PIT); held in September
- CLT Runway 5K Run/Walk: Charlotte, NC (CLT); held in October
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.