Hundreds ‘takeoff’ from YYC’s newest runway
Posted Jun 14, 2014 12:38 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
About 1,400 people took part in a fun run Saturday to kick off a weekend of opening celebrations of the Calgary International Airport’s newest runway, the longest civilian runway in the country.
Droves of yellow busses took people from the parking lot to the glistening pavement of a never been used, over four kilometres long runway.
Many of the hundreds of participants ran the full length, which Mayor Nenshi compared to the same distance between City Hall and Chinook Centre.
He was on hand to cut the ceremonial ribbon and count down the runners at the starting line.
“I’m looking forward to much more growth of the airport, with this runway and with this terminal and more and more opportunities for Calgarians to connect to more places,”
Runner Chris tells 660News he had been bragging about the run all week.
“It’s kind of neat because we’re never going to get this chance again. I’m training for a big marathon later this year but I’m kind of more excited about his,” she said.
Darren and his running buddies had a similar thought.
“This will be the only time I can legally be on this whole runway,” said Darren, his friend joking that he would be arrested if he tried to walk on here once the runway is operational.
About 10,000 people are expected to get another glance Sunday for the ROAM the Runway event.
Air traffic will begin to use the stretch on June 28th.
