By Okon Ekpeyong

More than one thousand five hundred runners showed up for a worthy cause during Saturday, September 17, John Glenn International Runway 5k Run and Walk 2022 at the Columbus International Airport. 

Honor Flight Columbus is the nonprofit organization that will be receiving the funds. They help bring Senior Veterans, particularly from WWI and Vietnam War, to Washington D.C. to visit war memorials. Members of the current United States Army officers also participated in the Race.  

“We are happy to have all our military groups and veterans participating in this event. With Honor Flight Columbus, they are directly supporting military veterans through operations, and we are happy to help in whatever way possible,” Chris Pollock, Race director, said.  

Pollock is the Manager of the Department of Emergency Preparedness and Operational Safety for the Airport and stated that he had been a part of the race committee for the past three events. However, this year, he is the Runway 5k Race Director. “We had a great turnout; about 1500 people showed up today and helped raise over $72k for Honor Fight Columbus,” Chris said. They had a two year hiatus because of Covid-19, but runners said they were happy to be back. 

Runners were from different ethnicities, including the new Americans. “We are a big fan of diversity, and we want to make this a community event that would make everybody feel included; we would love to see everybody come out and have a good time while enjoying the airport,” Chris said.  

According to the event website, the three previous races raised over $170k. The Race was on the runaway 28/10L at the Airfield Maintenance Facility across the street from Airside Business Park.

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