SCORES of Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) staff swapped planes for trainers in the early hours of April 29 as they took part in the airport’s first-ever “Run the Runway” charity event.
Participants gathered at 3.30am before setting off at 4am on a unique 5km route across the airfield, raising funds for LBA’s charity of the year, Aireborough Voluntary Services to the Elderly (AVSED).
The event forms part of LBA’s newly launched “Together for Tomorrow” sustainability strategy and aligns with its “Connecting Communities” pillar, aimed at supporting social value and local causes across Yorkshire.
Runners and walkers completed a full loop of the runway, finishing where they started, with the airfield specially illuminated for the occasion. Lighting rigs provided by infrastructure partner AmcoGiffen helped guide participants as runway lights lit up the route before the airport resumed normal operations at 5am.
All proceeds from the event will go to AVSED, which has been supporting older people in Aireborough since 1992. The charity works to reduce loneliness and isolation, offering services including befriending, transport and social activities to help older residents remain independent.
Kunaal Wharfe, general counsel and company secretary and DEI executive sponsor at LBA, said: “At Leeds Bradford Airport, we believe our growth must be inextricably linked to social value. Events like Run the Runway allow our team to come together – not just as colleagues, but as a community – to support our neighbours and the vital work done by organisations like AVSED.
“A run might sound like an easy event to organise, but coordinating access and multiple teams at a live, operational airport to facilitate a charity run is no mean feat. Many of our dedicated colleagues went above and beyond to make the event possible, for which I am very grateful.”
The event was supported by a number of local businesses. Clean Eats Kitchen, based in Skipton and Keighley, provided goodie bags for participants, including gluten-free “Proats” pots, recovery drinks and fresh meals.
Ilkley-based XO Fitness led an expert pre-run warm-up, while Farrans, LBA’s construction partner on the LBA:REGEN project, supplied finisher medals and site facilities.
Organisers hope the event will return in future years, with plans to expand participation to the wider airport community and eventually the public.
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