Thousands Participate in O’Hare 5K on the Runway and Free Community Day

CHICAGO, 2012-10-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — More than 2,500 runners and walkers participated in today’s O’Hare 5K on the Runway hosted by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) and United Airlines to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Photos highlighting today’s activities are included below.

People of all ages, including runners, walkers and aviation enthusiasts, came to O’Hare International Airport today for a unique opportunity to experience a runway up-close on one of the world’s busiest airfields. The 5K course took participants on a portion of Runway 9L/27R and underneath the wings of a United plane on the airfield. The runway was closed from 6 a.m. to noon today for the 5K. The runway closure did not impact flight operations at O’Hare.

In conjunction with the 5K run/walk, the CDA and its airport partners held a free “Community Day” festival featuring fun activities for kids and families including live music, food vendors, a kids race and trolley rides to the runway. Wounded Warrior Project also had an exhibit booth at the event.

CDA Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino welcomed the thousands of participants from a stage near the start line before joining the runners and walkers in the 5K. “On behalf of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the City of Chicago, and the Chicago Department of Aviation, I want to thank United Airlines for partnering with us for this fantastic event benefitting Wounded Warrior Project,” said Andolino.

Before the start of the race, Lynda Coffman, Vice President of Food Sales for United Airlines, presented a check for $25,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project. The participant who finished in 787th place in the race received complimentary tickets from United Airlines for a future flight on a B-787 “Dreamliner” plane.

The mission of the Wounded War Project is to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members; help injured service members aid and assist each other; and provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.

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