The 16th annual Runway 5K raised $47,361 for Airport Opportunity Scholarships at Central Piedmont Community College. The scholarships were created in 2018 to help promote careers in aviation as well as economic opportunities in Charlotte.
Since 2019, more than $161,000 has been raised for scholarships. To date, 15 students have attended college for free - made possible by the Runway 5K.
Each scholarship recipient participates in Central Piedmont’s six-week Summer Bridge program, designed to help teens transition from high school to college. Students are assigned academic advisors who help guide them throughout their classes. The scholarship covers their tuition, books and provides internship opportunities.
More than 1,670 runners and walkers registered for the 2023 Runway 5K on Oct. 21. The unique, flat course took place entirely on the airfield with two miles of a runway and a close-up look at aircraft landing and taking off.
During the 2023 race, Carson Truesdell, 28, took first place for the men with a finishing time of 15:13. Ashley Carney, 35, was the first-place finisher among women with a time of 20:10. See complete results. The 17th Runway 5K will take place October 2024.