Community
28 April, 2026
Airport runway run attracts huge crowds
‘Once in a lifetime experience’, ‘exhilarating’ and ‘fantastic’ were just some of the words and sentences uttered by competitors, walkers and media alike at the Western Sydney International (WSI) Airport Runway Run on Sunday.
‘Once in a lifetime experience’, ‘exhilarating’ and ‘fantastic’ were just some of the words and sentences uttered by competitors, walkers and media alike at the Western Sydney International (WSI) Airport Runway Run on Sunday.
Over 22,000 people from all walks of life competed in a four kilometre, seven kilometre, 14 kilometre and half marathon (21.1km) races throughout the day, with all money raised going into the vital work that the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation (SCHF) does to help more than 168,000 children every year that come through its doors.
WSI CEO Simon Hickey told media present that over $100,000 was raised for the SCHF over the whole day.
The runway was full of people, and will be for the last time before it becomes full of planes later in the year, with flights set to be taking off from October this year.
Singapore Airlines are also set to have their flagship flights direct to Singapore departing from WSI from November 23.
It also gave the opportunity for ‘aviation geeks’ and ‘transport nerds’ to take a sticky-beak at the new airport terminal buildings (from the outside), the under-construction metro railway and other infrastructure throughout the airport site, with You Tube videos and even television news stories about the run being posted almost immediately on Sunday evening.
A local group that really enjoyed their walk around the runway was the popular Macarthur Stitch Group, a group created for people aged over 50 which has an app and attracts everyone from all across the world.
They also have a Facebook page with over 150 members from throughout the Macarthur area and surrounds.
Group representative Fran Rinaldi told The Southern Wire she was amazed by the turnout and what the airport was like.
“It was beautifully organised and I didn’t think it was going to run this smoothly actually,” Ms. Rinaldi said.
“The weather couldn’t have been more perfect and we’re so glad to be here – it's certainly a history making day and we’re all so glad to be part of it.”
Ms. Rinaldi had 40 people attend as part of the Macarthur Stitch Group on Sunday, and fellow representative Jo thanked the organisers and all the friends that came along.
“I mean we will never ever, ever have this opportunity again to walk on this runway, so it’s just wonderful,” she said.
“If any of our members do choose to take a flight overseas from here, they can say ‘I actually walked on the tarmac of that runway!’”
Other walkers your scribe spoke to who came from the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast, said the walk was ‘fantastic, exhilarating and a wonderful fundraising initiative.’
All competitors who took part in the running races and walk also received a special ‘Finisher’ medal and could purchase other merchandise from the organisers Elite Energy, fitness brand LSKD, Qantas Freight, NSW Transport and more.
There was even an amazing aerobatic display from Matt Hall in the Red Bull aeroplane throughout the day showing off his tricks to excited onlookers.
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