Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) is giving supporters the chance to run for someone’s life as the charity launches the fundraising Run the Runway event at Perth Airport.
Following last year’s inaugural event success which raised £36,000, the life-saving charity is again inviting the public to run around the runways at the airport which has been the home base for SCAA since the service launched in 2013.
On the evening of Saturday, August 8, hundreds of men, women and children are expected to tackle the fast, flat, triangular runway system in either a 5km or 10km distance challenge.
And entries are now open for fundraisers to take to the tarmac in support of the charity which flies life-saving and life-enhancing doctor and paramedic-led teams to those most seriously ill or injured and airlifts them swiftly to definitive hospital care.
SCAA events officer Caryn Whitelaw said the event was a tremendous opportunity for fundraisers seeking to record a personal best through to those keen to take up the chance of accessing the airport’s runways for a fun-filled activity.
“Last year’s inaugural event was a huge success with nearly 200 runners – and strollers – pounding along the runways that our helicopter follows as it comes and goes on our emergency missions,” she said.
“We want to build on that success and attract more runners to join in the fun, face the challenge and fundraise to ensure that SCAA can be there for those who need us. All we ask is an entry fee and that they raise a minimum amount in sponsorship to help support SCAA’s life-saving work.”
Entrants will each receive a special SCAA-branded race T-shirt and a medal for crossing the finishing line, as well as being chip-timed.
SCAA relies entirely on public donations to keep its two emergency response helicopter air ambulances in the air. And Caryn explained that every penny raised by those who run the runway will be helping to save lives.
“SCAA serves communities everywhere,” she said. “Across the 30,000 square miles of the Scottish mainland and our many islands. Runners on the 8th of August will be helping to ensure our helicopters and medical crews are there for people in the fastest possible time – wherever they are in Scotland – when illness or injury strikes.
“SCAA believes that no one in Scotland should die because help can’t get there in time,” said Caryn, “and fundraising events such as this allow the public to make a valuable contribution – and have great fun at the same time.
“SCAA enjoys the backing of people in every corner of the country and last year runners came from far and wide to support us. Some were running because they or a loved one had been airlifted by SCAA, while others wanted to play their part in fundraising for a vital service they hope they never need.
“We’re hoping more people from further afield will make a weekend of it and come to Perth Airport to join local runners in being a part of what we hope will become a favourite annual event for runners and fun-lovers alike,” she said.
“We’re extremely grateful to Perth Airport operators ACS Aviation for facilitating Run the Runway again and for Scotloo and Highland Spring for their valuable support.”
The event will open with registration at 6.30pm followed by a mass warm-up at 7.15pm before the claxon sounds for the start of the race at 7.30pm. Entertainment, water stations, food vendors and free parking will all feature in this unique challenge.
The fees and fundraising targets are:
5km: £17 entry fee with a suggested fundraising target of £100 (two laps of the runway system).
10km: £22 entry fee with a suggested fundraising target of £150 (four laps of the runway system).
Entries are open until midday on August 6th and people can fundraise as the result of their efforts up to three months afterwards. And those signing up before June 30th will enjoy a 30% discount on their entry fee.
Register for a place now by visiting:
www.scaa.social/run-the-runway
Or contact event organiser Caryn Whitelaw at: events@scaa.org.uk
Tel: 0300 123 1111
