2 October 2018
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Running legend Sonia O’Sullivan will join 2,500 runners for the annual SPAR Cork Airport 5K Runway Run on 2 November.
Organised by Cork Athletics on behalf of Athletics Ireland, the unique 5km event on Cork Airport’s runway will take place at 23.59 on Friday, 2 November. Funds raised will support Cork Airport’s 2018 Charity of the Year, Shine Centre for Autism. Registration for the SPAR Cork Airport 5K Runway Run is open at corkairportrunwayrun.com.
Colin Donnelly, SPAR Sales Director said: “SPAR has a long heritage in athletics sponsorship so the SPAR Cork Airport 5K Runway Run is a natural fit for our brand. Health and wellbeing is a big focus for SPAR and this unique event is a great initiative for all ages because it helps to promote a healthy lifestyle and has the added benefit of offering participants the opportunity to run on an actual runway! We’ve very proud to be a part of this venture in association with Athletics Ireland and Cork Airport.”
The SPAR Cork Airport 5K Runway Run at Ireland’s second busiest and best-connected airport is chip-timed. This is the third largest running event in Cork.
Speaking on the event, Managing Director at Cork Airport, Niall MacCarthy said: “We are delighted to host the Runway Run for the fourth year, and welcome the 2,500 runners taking part this year.
“Cork Airport is extremely busy at the moment, with scheduled flights to over 40 destinations. Holding a midnight event, when no planes are landing or taking off, means participants have a unique chance to run, jog or walk Cork Airport’s normally active runway, along with supporting the vital work being done by Shine.”
Irish Olympian and multiple World Champion Sonia O’Sullivan will travel from her Australian base for the event, joining fellow event ambassadors, personal trainer Karl Henry, and Irish elite long distance runner and fellow Olympian Mick Clohisey of Raheny Shamrock AC on the night.
Registration for SPAR Cork Airport 5K Runway Run is open at corkairportrunwayrun.com. On signing up, participants can avail of a 20% discount by using the code SPAR 20.