LONDON LUTON RUNWAY RACE RAISES £4,000 FOR CHARITY

Running at the airport usually involves hot footing it to the gate to avoid missing your flight, but the mood was a little more relaxed at London Luton Airport today for the 200 runners taking part in its summer runway race.

Indeed, the only stress they were under was to be up before dawn to take part in the airport's largest ever Runway Race during the Summer Solstice.

They were raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, the airport's charity partner for 2018/19, and their efforts earned the charity £4,000.

The charity event, now in its third year, allows runners of all abilities to run the full length of the runway, (1.3 miles or 2.2km) and back, whilst it’s closed to flights between 4.30am and 5.30am.



Runners came from all over the region to take part in the summer solstice run, including members of the Redway Runners from Milton Keynes, Stevenage Striders and Dunstable Road Runners.

Neil Thompson LLA’s operations director, who also took part in the race, said: "This is our third and biggest runway race so far and what better way to mark the summer solstice, than seeing the sunrise over the airport.

"The atmosphere was amazing and it was great to see so many airport staff and local runners enjoying this unique event while raising money to support the excellent work of Macmillan Cancer Support in our local area.”



Macmillan’s executive director of cancer support operations, John Pearson, also joined the runners. 

He enthused: “Events like this are vital for raising our profile as a local charity and supporting the work we do. 

"The money raised from our partnership with London Luton Airport will go towards our Bedfordshire Macmillan Grants programme which will help reduce the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis and allow people with the disease to live life as fully as they can. 

"We are so grateful for the hard work and dedication of the team at LLA for putting on such a unique fundraiser."

Well done to all those involved.