I like to find races that are unique. Like running on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, or a Ragnar Trail Relay Race. Something out of the ordinary. A friend sent me a link to a race on the runway of Dulles International Airport. How often do you actually get to set foot on the runway, let alone run a race on it. Count me in!
The thought of running on a flat, completely paved course had me envisioning a fast 5k time. A time starting in the sixteen to seventeen minute range kept floating into my expectations. At least a personal best time. Surely this would be the race to do it.
Dulles Airport is just a hair over an hour from my house. I used to make that commute on a daily basis when I worked in Herndon, VA. The race started at 7:30 AM, so I had to crawl out of bed at 3:55 am to ensure I was there in time to get in a decent warm up. I know it sounds early, but I hate feeling rushed. Ask my wife. It drives me crazy when she waits until the very last minute to leave the house. After getting ready and hitting the road, I arrived at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy National Air and Space Center where runners were directed to park. I wasn’t the first one there, but I did get a spot in the first open lot. To get to packet pickup, runners had to enter the museum, walk through the expansive hangar with all of the iconic planes of aviation history, and exit out the back. Outside, tables were set up to pick up race packets and leave a drop bag if necessary.
I tried to warmup on the course, but a security guard turned me around and sent me back. So I really only had a small area to get some running in prior to the race. A couple of my running friends were there so I got a chance to chat a bit prior to the race. The 5k would start at 7:30, followed by the 10k at 7:40.
Stepping up to the line for the 5k
There was an announcement to head toward the start line, so I walked over and toed the line. I still had that 16-something time dangling out there in front of me. On “GO” I started my Garmin and took off with the lead pack. As usual, there are a handful of 10-13 year olds that tear out of there with the leaders, then after about 100 yards, they drop back and end up finishing about 30 minutes later. This time, a youngster came out, fell back, then came right back passed me. And stayed there. I hung around the top ten runners most of the way.
The lead pack at the start.
The course was an out and back loop. They had pulled a large airplane onto the runway at the turning point. It was really the only plane I saw since this section of runway is not near the busy terminals. A helicopter circled overhead several times, I assume shooting video footage from above or just flying around to add to the general ambiance.
Nearing the finish I realized a sub 17 minute 5k was not happening, nor a sub 18 minute. I finished 8th out of 1,444 runners with a time of 18:33. Not bad, but not what I had set my goal to be. The kid that passed me, 10 year old Caleb Hymans, finished with a 17:59. Way to go little man! That is impressive!
8th overall. 18:33.
Overall, I had fun at the event. The runway reminded me of a huge flat parking lot, but when you think about it, that’s really all it is. So I can now say I ran on the runway every time we fly out of Dulles.
On to the next race and hopefully get that elusive 16:something 5k time.
