Ready for one of the most unique races in Western North Carolina?
The AVL Runway 5K gives participants the rare opportunity to run directly on the airfield at Asheville Regional Airport. This one-of-a-kind course is fast, flat and full of incredible views as the runners make their way along Taxiway Bravo beside the airport’s active runway and near AVL’s new air traffic control tower.
Wave to passengers as aircraft take off and land nearby while you experience the energy of the airport from an entirely new perspective. Whether you are a seasoned runner, aviation enthusiast, or simply looking for an unforgettable race day, the AVL Runway 5K is cleared for takeoff.
Proceeds from the race support aviation education initiatives and local nonprofit organizations, helping inspire future aviators and strengthen our Western North Carolina community.
Saturday, October 3 – 10:00 AM
Registration:
Online registration will open on Monday, June 1 and closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, September 27 or when sold out.
Race Cap:
The race is limited to 1,000 participants
Location + Parking:
All race-day activities will take place at the northwest corner of the airport. Race parking is located in a designated area across from Corcoran River Park at 9 Pinner Road in Arden (use this address in your GPS). Shuttles will take you and your supporters to and from the race/event venue. Shuttles are the only way to access the event; walking from the parking area is not permitted.
IMPORTANT: use Google Maps for directions; DO NOT use Apple Maps because it gives incorrect driving directions based on your starting point. You do NOT access the parking area via the airport campus. You will access Pinner Road from Glenn Bridge Road.
New for 2026: All runners and spectators will be required to go through a security screening prior to boarding a shuttle or accessing the race/event venue. Look for a Security Screening tent in the parking area near the shuttle stop. Please keep personal items to a minimum; small or clear bags are recommended. AVL reserves the right to refuse admission for any bag, parcel or other item. Please leave yourself plenty of time for this added step. Prohibited items will not be permitted.
Race Information
Through September 7
With Short Sleeve Shirt – $35
With Premium Long Sleeve Shirt – $50
Race T-shirts guaranteed to all who register by September 7. After that date, all shirts are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
September 8-Race Day
With Short Sleeve Shirt (While Supplies Last) – $40
With Long Sleeve Shirt (While Supplies Last) – $55
Race Day (if available)
With Short Sleeve Shirt (While Supplies Last) – $45
With Long Sleeve Shirt (While Supplies Last) – $60
Note: The entry fees shown here do not include service charges and taxes added by the registration platform. Those fees will be visible during the online registration process.
It is strongly recommended that racers pick up their race packets at the scheduled packet pick-up on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 4:00-6:00 PM, at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company (100 Sierra Nevada Way, Fletcher, NC).
Packet pick-up will be available on race day at the Registration Tent.
Schedule
Wednesday, September 30
4:00-6:00 PM Packet Pickup – Sierra Nevada Brewing Company (100 Sierra Nevada Way, Fletcher, NC)
We are thrilled to be holding our Pre-Race Packet Pickup at Sierra Nevada (on Wednesday only). Race participants should park in the guest parking lot and walk around the building on the left; look for the big Green Tent in the back past the gardens.
You may pick up for another person provided you know their date of birth and sign for their packet.
Saturday, October 3
7:15 AM Parking site and Security Tent opens
7:30 AM Shuttles to the race venue begin running – Corcoran River Park (9 Pinner Road, Arden, NC) Corcoran Paige River Park (9 Pinner Road, Arden, NC – accessed off of Glenn Bridge Road, not via the airport campus)
7:45-9:30 AM Packet Pickup/Late Registration – Race Venue
10:00 AM 5K Start
11:15 AM (ish) Awards Ceremony
Please allow ample time to park, go through security, shuttle and pick up your packet. Lines could be long, so please plan accordingly. It will take approximately 1.5 hours to shuttle all participants to the race site – please keep this in mind when planning your arrival.
The Runway 5K course is really fun! It begins on a road near the airfield. You will start at the large inflatable arch down the gravel road from where you enter the property. Please line up on the opposite side of the arch and face the direction you came in. Fast people in the front; walkers and those pushing strollers in the rear.
Once you enter the taxiway (that was our active runway for many years), you will run south to the end, loop around and run north to the other end, and then back again to the finish line. Just 150 feet to the east is the active runway, where planes will be taking off and landing during the race (so cool!).
(Insert diagram)
Due to the nature of this venue and the need to keep the area completely free of debris, there will not be an aid station on the course. You may carry your non-disposable water bottle with you on the course.
RULES & SAFETY
New for 2026: All runners and spectators will be required to go through a stadium-style security screening prior to boarding a shuttle or accessing the race/event venue. Look for the Security Screening tent in the parking area near the shuttle stop. Please leave plenty of time for this added step.
People of all ages, ability and motivation are invited to participate! Please remember, you are running (or walking) on a former runway, directly beside an active runway. For this reason, we have a few special rules:
Water
No water stations will be available on the course. We must be extra careful about trash or other items that could blow around the airfield. Racers are allowed to bring water with them, but water must be in reusable containers (no disposable/recyclable bottles), and racers must keep water bottles with them at all times. We must keep the airfield clear of any debris, so nothing may be discarded while on the airfield!
Spectators
Only registered racers will be allowed on the airfield. Others in attendance may view the race (and do their own plane-spotting) at the finish line site, where a music stage and food trucks will be stationed.
Safety
This is a foot-race. No bikes, no in-line skates, no roller skates and no wheeled vehicles (like bikes) will be allowed on the course, other than those used by wheelchair users and those pushing jogging strollers. For the safety of all, those using wheelchairs or jogging strollers will be asked to start the race in the back of the pack.
Ear plugs for protection while running will be available upon request at the racer check-in table.
Because the course is within a secure area of the airport, public safety officers will be on hand to ensure the area remains secure, to monitor first aid needs and to direct traffic. Please follow the direction of all safety officers and airport crew.
BAG DROP
For your convenience, we will have a bag drop area at the race venue (next to Registration) where you can leave a small bag. Look for the Bag Drop flag near Packet Pick Up.
2021 Race Photos
Please click the links below for race photos, courtesy of Paul King:
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE EVENT SITE
Music! We will have super fun music, setting a great party vibe to get you in the mood to race the runway!
Food! Food trucks will be on site – offering coffee, breakfast drinks, snacks and other goodies. Credit cards only.
Merch! Our race logo is awesome, if we do say so ourselves, so we’ll have some special merchandise for sale if you want some sweet airport swag.
The awards ceremony will take place in the grass field facing the runways. Special commemorative awards will be presented to the top three male and female overall finishers and the top three male and female masters finishers. Age group awards will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in the following age brackets: 12 & Under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80 & Over
If you cannot stay for the awards ceremony, please ask a friend to pick it up for you. Awards will not be mailed.
This will be a bib-timed race with your time recorded when you cross the start and finish line. Please have your race bib visible at the start and finish.
No pets allowed. Sorry! We love our furry friends, but can’t have them near the airfield.
Parking for the day of the event will be at a parking area across from Corcoran River Park, (9 Pinner Road, Arden, NC 28704 – access via Glenn Bridge Road), and participants will be shuttled to the race site.
IMPORTANT! The Security Screening Tent opens at 7:15 AM and the FIRST shuttle leaves the parking area at 7:30 AM; the LAST shuttle before the race leaves at 9:40 AM (racers will be given priority closer to race time). PLEASE PLAN AMPLE TIME TO SHUTTLE TO THE EVENT!
Note: The race will be held, rain or shine. If an unforeseen circumstance causes the race to cancel, a new date will be chosen, and all registered participants will be notified. No refunds, deferrals or credits for future races will be issued
Transfers
To transfer your registration to another person please log into Race Roster and select Transfer where prompted.
The transfer will only be valid for 48 hours, so be sure they accept quickly!
Transfers may be made up to the end of online registration but please allow time for the other person to accept it. Transfers must be completed by Monday, September 28 at 9:00 PM.
This is the only way transfers or the selling of bibs between participants will be allowed. Anyone who is discovered to have purchased or accepted another person’s bib without completing this process will be disqualified and banned from future races.
We will have live, unofficial results during the event and will post official results here by Saturday afternoon.
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