5K on the Runway Set for Saturday at Regional Airport

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — More than 160 participants have signed up for the 2021 5K on the Runway event scheduled at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in Vienna July 17.

“We have 165 signed up so far,” said Cathy Moore, race director for the Youngstown Air Reserve Base Community Council. “We’re hoping for at least 200.”

Those interested in partaking in the event Saturday can still sign up for the 5K walk or the 5K run as walk-ins the morning of the race, Moore said. Check-in for the event begins at 7 a.m. and the race begins at 8 a.m.

This the fourth year the council has hosted the event, Moore said. Last year’s race was done virtually because of the pandemic and had just 35 participants, but she said sponsors have not waivered in their support of the race.

All participants post an entry fee of $35, Moore said. The money raised from the event goes to meet needs that the Youngstown Air Reserve Station can’t cover, such as helping base personnel and their families with emergency medical bills.

“It’s used to provide help where the air base needs help,” she said. The air base pumps more than $130 million a year into the local economy.

Interest in the race has also grown, Moore said. “The first year we had about 150 runners, the second year about 200,” she said.

Participants run along one runway and down another at the airport, Moore noted. “It measures almost exactly 3.1 miles,” she said.

All participants receive a medal, bottled water and a snack. Those that have pre-registered for the event are guaranteed a T-shirt, but additional shirts will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.