Exeter Airport opens runway for charity fun-run
Around 250 runners and wheelchair users took part in the fun-run at Exeter Airport, raising funds for local charities.
Hundreds of people took part in a charity fun-run at Exeter Airport last weekend, raising thousands of pounds for charity.
The airport opened its runway to around 250 runners and wheelchair users as part of what is understood to be the first-ever ‘Chocks Away’ 5 kilometre run on Saturday, November 7.
Participants raised “just under” £2,000 for local charities Hospiscare and Young Lives vs Cancer by running almost two full lengths of Exeter Airport’s 2,076 metre runway.
Cranbrook Running Club founder and chair Matt Rowett, who organised the event in partnership with Exeter Airport, said: “I’ve wanted to organise a run on Exeter Airport’s runway for a long time, so to finally see it happen has been fantastic.
“It’s not every day you get the chance to run somewhere like this, and I think that’s what made it such an attractive event.”
Every place at the event was filled within 36 hours of entries opening, according to Mr Rowett.
“We’re hugely grateful to Exeter Airport for helping us get this off the ground, and it’s been particularly rewarding to raise money for two charities that mean so much to us,” he said.
“We’d love to see Chocks Away become a regular fixture in the running calendar.”
Cranbrook Running Club also organises both the weekly Cranbrook Country Park parkrun and junior parkrun.
The club chose to raise funds for Hospiscare in memory of a club member who received support from the charity towards the end of his life. Hospiscare provides “specialist end-of-life care” and support to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families across Exeter and the wider Devon county.
Exeter Airport chose to support Young Lives vs Cancer, a charity who provide “practical, emotional, and financial support” to young cancer patients and their loved ones.
Stephen Wiltshire, managing director of Exeter Airport, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying this unusual opportunity while raising money for two excellent charities.
“Events like this take a great deal of planning, particularly in a working airport environment, and I'd like to thank Matt and everyone at Cranbrook Running Club, together with our charity champion Claire Chambers and the airport team, for making it possible.
"We're proud to have played our part and hope everyone who took part enjoyed the experience. Most importantly, the money raised will help support the vital work of Hospiscare and Young Lives vs Cancer."