Runners to take off at Tampa airport's charity 5K on the runway

People who like to run on the hot tarmac of an airport runway — and there appear to be a lot of them — will get a chance next weekend with Tampa International Airport's 5K Runway Fun Run.

This event has sold old out the past three years, so if you want to hoof it on a wide open runway, head to tampaairport.com/5k to sign up.

The race at 8 a.m. April 23 is limited to 2,000 runners, who get free parking. Registration is $40 and it includes a race shirt and proceeds benefit the United Way Suncoast.

After the race there will be a raffle of airline tickets including round-trip tickets to Zurich, Switzerland, and Panama City, Panama, as well as two tickets to anywhere from Southwest, Silver, Spirit and Delta Air Lines.

Raffle tickets will be available at packet pick-up, the day of event and at active.com for $5 each or $20 for five. The raffle is open to anyone, and you don't need to be present to win.

On race day, spectators are welcome, but no strollers, skateboards, rollerblades, bikes or pets allowed.

Sharon Kennedy Wynne, Times staff writer