Jon Johnson File Photo: Aircraft like these seen in Ponderosa Aviation’s hangar in 2018 will be on display for the 5K on the Runway at the Safford Regional Airport on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – Have you been to the Safford Regional Airport lately?
Well, there will be no better time than Saturday, Sept. 10, for the 5K on the Runway.
With new changes brewing including the possible addition of commercial flights, Airport Manager Cameron Atkins is excited to bring the public out to the airport to see the future for themselves.
Ponderosa Aviation, Jetcrafters, and PHI Air-Evac will have aircraft on display while a plethora of food trucks will be available to satisfy the biggest appetites.
Registration for the event is free with donations benefitting the Safford High School Booster Club, and the SHS Marching Band will be on hand to play the school’s fight song prior to the race. Click here to register for the race.
“They’re going to be providing all the volunteers for the event, and they’re going to be taking donations and selling T-shirts and things like that,” Atkins said. “So, this is an opportunity for the booster club to raise money for Safford High School athletic programs as well.”
The event is a remembrance run honoring those who lost their lives in the 9/11 tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001. In addition to the 5K, a 1-mile Fun Run will also be held. The Safford Police Department and Safford Fire Department will be on the scene.
As the name suggests, racers will traverse the airport’s runway for the event, while one runway will remain open for emergency services as needed.
The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Safford Regional Airport at 4570 E. Aviation Way from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., with runs starting at 8:30 a.m.
The airport is examining possibly starting commercial air service between Safford and Phoenix running “once or twice a day”, said Atkins. “We’re trying to get the public aware of what we have out here and, hopefully, as we move forward once we start doing some marketing and actually get the airline out here we think we think we can have the public be more aware that there is even an option to fly out of Safford.”
Another added benefit of flying out of Safford is that currently, parking at the airport is free. To hear more about the possible commercial future and check out all the current amenities the airport offers, be sure to head out to the 5K on the Runway on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
