Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) General Manager John Selden, and dozens of ATL employees will host more than 2,000 runners early Saturday, Sept. 7 for the fifth annual Mayor’s 5K on the 5th Runway.  In partnership with the United Way of Greater Atlanta, this race offers the rare opportunity to run or walk on ATL’s 5th runway — one of the flattest and fastest courses in Greater Atlanta. It also serves as a USATF-certified 5K course/AJC Peachtree Road Race qualifier. Proceeds from the sold-out race will benefit the Mayor’s Youth Scholarship program and United Way of Greater Atlanta’s College Bound program. 

In addition to supporting Atlanta’s youth, this year’s race will include two sustainability components. Local nonprofit Eco Sneakers asks participants to bring and donate used sneakers. Gently used sneakers will be given to area residents in need and sneakers that can no longer be used will be repurposed to create playground surfaces, basketball courts and tracks. ATL is also embarking on a robust waste management effort by composting trash from the race, which will benefit the West End Community Urban Garden. 

Four Olympic medalists — Christian Coleman, Kristi Castlin, Angelo Taylor Jr. and Terrance Trammell — will serve as race ambassadors. Participants will be greeted by the Marching Astros of Frederick Douglass High School.

WHEN:             Saturday, Sept. 7
                           
                            Check-in / bib pickup: 4 a.m. to 6 a.m.
                            Runway lineup: 6:15 a.m.
                            Start: 6:30 a.m.
                            Finish: 7:30 a.m. (course will close at 7:30 a.m.)
Runners/walkers who are unable to complete the course by this time will be redirected to an alternate route. 
                            Awards 7:55 a.m.

WHERE:           5th Runway at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Runway 10-28)