Sports broadcaster and former England footballer Gary Lineker will head the line-up of celebrity support for Manchester Airport’s runway run in aid of two special children’s charities this Sunday (September 21.)
Gary will be among the famous faces at the start of the four kilometre fundraiser as over 200 runners, joggers and walkers don red outfits to complete the course around the edge of the runway.
They will be joined by celebrity seventies disco DJ Lionel Vinyl and Brazilian youth band Global Groves of Oldham beforehand in the Runway Visitor Park. They will help them warm up and keep the spectators entertained while the race is underway.
The event is in aid of Flying Start, British Airways’ global charity partnership with Comic Relief UK, and Medcare, Manchester Airport’s supported charity at the Wellspring Children’s Medical Centre in Kamutuuza, Uganda.
The autumn fun runners will follow a four kilometre route around the perimeter of the UK’s third largest airport. They are being asked to wear something red and to raise a minimum of £25 in order to take part.
They will literally run round Manchester Airport’s runways following the Runway Two Nature Trail through the Bollin Valley which offers some fantastic viewing points for watching aircraft landing and taking off.
Those competing at a more leisurely pace will be able to read information boards around the Trail giving information on woodlands and grasslands, ponds, the River Bollin tunnel, bats, archaeology and a sculpture of the British Airways Concorde made out of willow.
Back at the Runway Visitor Park there will be a family fun day with lots of activities including tours on board the British Airways Concorde, a family sports day and a tombola.
A selection of prizes are on offer for race participants including:
- · 1st prize – British Airways flights to Paris or Barcelona from Manchester via London Heathrow
- · 2nd prize – a VIP Manchester Airport experience, including complimentary car parking, FastTrack
and Escape Lounge or Executive Lounge access - · 3rd prize – a British Airways hamper
To find out more information about the event or to sign up and take part log onto http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/runwayrun
Entry deadline for runners is this Thursday, 18th September.