The Erie International Airport is closing down the runway on the morning of Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. to help support the Hamot Health Foundation and the Children’s Care Fund.
On Oct. 4, the Hamot Health Foundation, along with community partners including Erie Strayer, will be hosting the first ever Runway Fun Run on the runway of the Erie International Airport at 4411 W. 12th St.
The run will also be the first time that the Erie International Airport has used the runway for a one-mile run.
“This is an event that’s not a new idea but new to the Erie community,” said Shawn Bernard, development coordinator for the Hamot Health Foundation. “It’s having a run on the runway.”
Closing down the Erie International Airport runway for the Fun Run
The Runway Fun Run begins at 8 a.m. and runs until 10 a.m. From that time period the runway at the airport will be closed off.
“So we wanted to take advantage of the airport when having the runway closed while hosting a family-friendly event that could raise some money for a really good cause,” Bernard said. “We’ve been fortunate to work with Derek Martin of the Erie International Airport, Grayson Patterson of North Coast Air and a slew of partners who have made this possible.”
During the Fun Run no planes will be coming in or out of the runway, but the event will have a hard close at exactly 10 a.m. to ensure all safety and that operations can continue for the airport.
The airport will still have planes on the sidelines so attendees can get an up-close look at some of the planes and aircrafts during the event.
Check-in for participants begins at 7:15 a.m. Oct. 4 at the North Coast Air parking lot, 4645 W. 12th St. Runway gates open at 8 a.m. and close at 8:10 a.m. Late admittance won’t be permitted.
For security measures, once a participant exits at the runway gates, that participant will not be permitted back in.
Runway Fun Run to support Children’s Care Fund
All proceeds from the event will go toward the Children’s Care Fund with the Hamot Health Foundation.
The Children’s Care Fund, according to Bernard, is a catch-all fund that advances pediatric care in the Erie community and region.
The Children’s Care Fund supports pediatric patients and their families while providing them with resources including a new pediatric care office — UPMC Children’s Specialty Care at 3580 Peach St. — that Bernard said opened this year.
Another way the Children’s Care Fund helps support patients is by supporting families who have a child in the NICU or financial issues from a hospital visit.
“We want to make sure that when your child is in the hospital receiving specialty care you are able to focus on your child without you having to think about the financial situation,” Bernard said. “One hundred percent of the proceeds that are raised from the run will support the Children’s Care Fund.”
Is there an age limit to participate in the Runway Fun Run?
Bernard said the run is open to anyone no matter the age. Coordinators are encouraging families to participate and bring wagons or strollers even.
“You can run the mile, walk it, jog it, even stroll it,” Bernard said. “From babies to grandparents, we want to see everyone out there.”
The event will also include visits from Erie Otters mascot Otto, Coach Emma from Polliwogs Gym and refreshments from Tim Hortons.
Is there a deadline to sign up for the Runway Fun Run?
The deadline to sign up for the Runway Fun Run is at noon on Oct. 3.
Registration can be done online and costs $25 for adults ages 13 and up. Children 12 and under are $15 for registration.
“The numbers we’ve seen from the attendance standpoint are tremendous for a first-year event,” Bernard said. “We appreciate so much of this community whether they are doing it for the fun or for the philanthropy that they can do with their family, we’re super appreciative and want to continue our part of taking care of the youngest and oldest patients and everyone in between.”
Anyone who attends the Runway Fun Run will receive a free shirt and one lucky participant will win a free roundtrip flight for two courtesy of Breeze Airways.
If you go…
- Location: Erie International Airport at 4411 W. 12th St.
- Time: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Course: Located on the runway of the Erie International Airport.
- Information: Hamothealthfoundation.org.
