Sold Out: Runway 5K Sets New Record

UPDATE 8/1: The 2026 CLT Runway 5K is officially sold out! If you missed out, we are giving away two race registrations to one lucky winner. One winner will be randomly selected at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 7 and notified via email. Enter the Ticket Giveaway here.

Race Day is Saturday, October 17, at 7:30 am.

“Community members began reaching out about registration as early as December 2025,” said Sterling Patterson, CLT Community Engagement Coordinator. “We love how popular this event has become among area residents and beyond.”

Last year, the race sold out in under three hours. This year, it sold out in approximately 15 minutes, showing the growing popularity and size of the CLT Runway 5K.

“We had such interest from our partners that we had to close our request for sponsors,” added Patterson. “In response, we are delighted to offer several new, exclusive packages, allowing even more organizations to join us at the Runway 5K.”

In 2007, the event had only 500 participants. In 2025, ten of the 1,600 runners, walkers and wheelchair racers who crossed the finish line traveled more than 1,000 miles, including four from abroad. Next year, the event will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

The October 18, 2025, race was a record-breaking event, raising $90,930. Since 2019, CLT has raised over $317,000 for Central Piedmont Opportunity Scholarships – more than doubling the original goal.

The Runway 5K has been so successful that CLT announced an endowed scholarship at Central Piedmont earlier this year, the “Charlotte Douglas International Airport Scholarship Fund.” The endowed scholarship will support students pursuing aviation-related careers and ensure CLT’s charitable impact at Central Piedmont continues.

“The Runway 5K is one of our flagship events and demonstrates how we build connections between the Airport and our surrounding neighbors. It is always a favorite among our entire Community Engagement team," according to Patterson.

To date, 30 students from Mecklenburg County have received CLT Airport Opportunity Scholarships.