Gaston County Sheriff's Office to host 3-mile run

Chloe Collins, Gaston Gazette
·2 min read
Cadets assisted Gaston County deputies in setting up and disassembling tents at Cloninger Park for National Night Out Aug. 1, 2023.
Cadets assisted Gaston County deputies in setting up and disassembling tents at Cloninger Park for National Night Out Aug. 1, 2023.

For years, Charlotte-Douglas International Airport has hosted Runway 5k, an opportunity for runners and walkers to race down the CLT airport runway.

This year, Gaston County will have its own Run the Runway 3 Miler.

The Gaston County Sheriff’s Office and Gastonia Municipal Airport have teamed up to create this race as a unique fundraiser, according to Gaston County Deputy Ronald Rhodes.

Proceeds from the fundraiser, organized by Rhodes and Deputy Amy Hawkins, will go toward the county’s cadet program.

Before Gaston County Sheriff Chad Hawkins took office, the program had not been run for several years.

“That’s one thing Sheriff Hawkins wanted to do when he came in was to get the community and youth involved,” Rhodes said.

The cadet program is a non-profit that is not funded by the department’s budget.

Gaston County residents between the ages of 14-21 gain leadership skills, mentorship training, and even earn school credits for community service through the program, according to Rhodes.

Climbing exercise at Cadet Academy in Salemburg.
Climbing exercise at Cadet Academy in Salemburg.

Funds raised by the race will specifically go toward uniforms, training costs, equipment and travel expenses incurred when the cadets head out to competitions.

According to Rhodes the airport felt that this event would be a good opportunity to put themselves out there.

“A lot of people don’t realize how much they actually do there,” Rhodes said.

Aside from everyday flight, the Gastonia Municipal Airport also runs an aviation school.

The race will start at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16, and takes place on the runway at the Gastonia Municipal Airport, which is located at 1030 Gaston Day School Road.

Sign-up is already open for the run, and costs $30 per person if they would like a T-shirt, and $25 per person without one. The event is open to all ages, and skill levels. Participants can run or walk.

“They could even bring strollers and walk down,” Rhodes said.

However, there is a time limit of one hour to complete the race due to regulations around runway closures.

Not only will there be snacks and finish line medals for all participants at the end of the race, but there will also be door prizes, a raffle, and planes out on display.

Trust fall exercise at Cadet Academy in Salemburg, NC.
Trust fall exercise at Cadet Academy in Salemburg, NC.

Those interested in signing up can do so at runsignup.com by searching for Gastonia and clicking the Runway 3 Miler.

Packet pick-up will be all day 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, at the airport.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gaston County Sheriff's Office to host 3-mile run