Under a warm September sun, over a thousand eager participants converged on the Airfield Maintenance compound at John Glenn Columbus International Airport for our sixth annual 5K Run & Walk. This year’s event offered a unique twist: work to prepare for the construction of our new terminal meant runners and walkers pounded the pavement on a taxiway alongside an active runway, adding an extra thrill to the morning.
The 5K is a labor of love, made possible by the CRAA Community Fund, a 501(c)(3) fueled by the dedication of airport authority employee volunteers. The 15-person committee hit the ground running immediately after last year’s event, ensuring another successful race.
With 1,135 registered runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, the event was a true celebration of community. We extend our deepest gratitude to the 35 sponsors whose generous contributions were instrumental in making this day a reality.
Unique awards shaped like runway lights (courtesy of ADB Safegate) were presented to the top male and female finishers. Zachariah Zimmerman left everyone in his dust, crossing the finish line in a remarkable 14 minutes and 25 seconds. Destiny Camp also delivered an impressive performance, securing the top female spot with a time of 20 minutes and 53 seconds.
But beyond the competition, the heart of this event lies in its purpose: raising funds for Honor Flight Columbus. This incredible non-profit organization provides our nation’s veterans with the opportunity to visit the memorials built in their honor in Washington D.C. Thanks to the generosity of our participants and sponsors, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve raised enough to sponsor another full Honor Flight!
Check out some fun facts about this year's race:
- Ages ranged from 1 – 86.
- Participants came from all over – 13 states, including Ohio.
- The participants who traveled the farthest came from Daly City, CA – six participants to be exact!
- The top three Columbus communities where participants are from include Gahanna, Westerville, and New Albany.
