Race Date: Halloween, 31 October 2026

Martin Downham reports.

Racing a 10k at night on a fully illuminated runway seemed like a fairly rare life opportunity. This is what the Run A Way at Doncaster Sheffield Airport (or Robin Hood Airport as shown on the road signs) offered. Something they could facilitate before the airport was fully re-opened to commercial flights, possibly sometime in the near future?

I had already run the “Run The Runway”  a daytime 5k earlier this year at this airport, so wanted to “complete the set” though there is now talk of another “Runway” event in March 2027. This was undoubtedly a very different running experience. The earlier 5k was run in misty/hazy sunshine and finished just in front of the famous Vulcan Bomber. The 10k was a there and back on the same runway and taxi way so finished at the start.

On the day most runner’s reported that the total race distance was less than 10k. Some said this was known in advance and some have suggested that the course was measured on the outer corners. Handy for anyone who likes the wider approach to racing around corners.

Additionally the runway lights were apparently faulty so floodlights were brought in as a late replacement. There was a lot of distance between them so we went from bright light, through some very long shadows to near full  darkness and all in patchy mist. Perfect conditions for Halloween you might say? Despite being a long and wide runway, there were a few trip hazards such as drains, weeds and lights nearer the edges, with a few taking a tumble in the darkness.

There was bottled water and medals for all finishers. Limited water was available at the 5k mid-point. There was also plenty of free on-site parking and Race HQ was in the terminal building which may change when the airport re-opens. A junior fun run was also offered before the 10k and various food and race kit vendors were available near the start/finish braving the rapidly cooling air temperatures.

Overall, this was a memorable and unique event. There were times when it was too dark to see anything other than a few well spaced distant floodlights high above us. For those that noted the distance shortfall (like me), there was enough space (around the start/finish) to run towards the toilets and back to record on Strava or equivalent what should have been a fairly fast 10k time with a mere 19m of elevation. Details for the March 2027 have yet tbc, but it’s certainly worth considering for the unique experience. (Editor: This must be really irritatin. You pay for a 10k then, for no apparent reason, the organisers can’t get the distance right. Surely a basic.)

Congratulations go to Mandy Taylor who ignored her niggles and secured an impressive age category win.