A different sort of running event that made its Yarmouth debut a year ago is about to be held for the second time as organizers prepare for the 2018 Starlight Runway Run.
Scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Yarmouth airport, the event will offer participants the option of a 5K or a 3K.
The start time – or “flight takeoff,” as it’s billed (in keeping with the event’s airport theme) – is 8:30 p.m.
“We’re getting all geared up,” said Rick Allwright, one of the run’s organizers. “We’ll have a good turnout. It’s going to be a bit less than last year, we believe, but that’s okay. We’re competing with a few big events throughout the province. It’s still going to be a good turnout and a great time for all the participants.”
The feedback from last year’s run was good, he said. Having event volunteers dressed up as flight attendants and pilots helped build on the race’s theme and participants seemed to appreciate it.
“A lot of people loved that part of it,” Allwright said. “We’ll be doing that again. It adds something to the whole event.”
The run will be held on the same runway as last year. This is the longer of the Yarmouth airport’s two runways. Because of the layout of the airport property, this runway is mostly unseen by the general public, so participants in the Starlight event get a close-up look at a part of the airport most people never see (unless maybe they’re flying).
Members of the Yarmouth Ground Search and Rescue organization will be on hand helping with the event and proceeds from the run again will support the search and rescue group.
People can register for the Starlight airport event on Race Roster or through the Starlight Runway Run’s Facebook page. There will be limited registration on the day of the event, but people are encouraged to sign up ahead of time.
“It’s cheaper for them to register in advance too,” Allwright said.
It sounds like participants in the race will get a nice souvenir of the experience.
“We have a brand-new medal this year,” Allwright said, “a very unique medal.”
