The runway at Liverpool John Lennon Airport usually only has the rubber of aircraft tyres running along it, but on one night in May, it will be the rubber on the soles of the feet of around 400 runners from across the region that will be pounding along the runway when the Airport becomes the location of a 5k charity run with a difference.
The event is sponsored by Liverpool Airport Holidays and is being organised by employees at the Airport to help raise donations for its charity and corporate partner the Alder Hey Children’s Charity through it’s #LJLALoves Alder Hey campaign to help make Alder Hey Hospital a truly world class, patient-friendly hospital for the 330,000 patients and families they care for every year.
Because the Airport is busy for around 20 hours each day, the event is to be staged in the early hours of Friday 8th May, with runners lining up for the start at 3.30am.
This will be the largest runway in the UK, at 2km in length, to be used for a charity run, with participants set to run the length of the runway and along the taxiways that run parallel in order to complete the 5km course. The Airport is being granted special dispensation from the various regulatory authorities in order to hold such an unusual event on its runway, with staff on hand to then return the areas back to operational use ahead of the first passenger departures at 6am later that morning.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport has already raised more than £173,000 for Alder Hey since 2016 and with 400 runners expected to participate in this unique event, the Airport hopes to reach its £200k target raised towards #LJLALOVES Alder Hey.
To participate in the race there is a £25 registration fee and a minimum £50 sponsorship in which all proceeds will go to Alder Hey Children’s Charity. To find out more runners should visit the dedicated page on the Airport website: https://www.liverpoolairport.com/community/fundraising/the-runway-run.
Whilst the event is all about having fun and helping to raise much needed funds for Alder Hey, there are some serious prizes for the winners, ranging from £2,000 worth of Liverpool Airport Holidays Vouchers, to gift hampers.
Ellie Freestone, Alder Hey Children’s Charity Corporate Fundraiser said, “We are incredibly grateful for the continued support by Liverpool John Lennon Airport. The Runway Run will be an amazing and unique event for both experienced and novice runners with the money raised going to fund the enhancement of waiting areas at the hospital, so they are engaging and fun spaces our patients love to visit.”
Carol Dutton, HR and Community Director at Liverpool John Lennon Airport added, “The whole of the LJLA community is looking forward to this event. This will be our biggest fundraiser for Alder Hey so far and hopefully, our most successful one! As this will be the UK’s longest runway to be used in a Runway Run this is a truly unique experience and a great way to raise money for charity!
It is extremely important to us to support such a wonderful charity and we know that every penny raised goes towards helping patients and their families at Alder Hey Hospital every day.
Good luck to everyone who takes part.”
