Anyone who has never had the chance to step on a runway, if not for the sole purpose of boarding an airplane, should jump on the opportunity to Run the Runway at Long Beach Airport (LGB) on Tuesday, March 31.
LGB announced that the grand reopening of Runway 7L-25R will be a public event to include a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a one-mile fun run. So spread your proverbial wings and take off down the strip. Whether or not you emanate airplane sounds while doing so is up to you. Participants can groove while they patter down the airstrip to the ever-spontaneous Long Beach musical collective, MOVE, alongside games, giveaways and aircraft on display.
After twenty years of use, 25R required routine maintenance that included new pavement, lighting signage and draining, according to LGB. In September of 2013, the airport was awarded a $15.1 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the largest ever received by the airport, to refurbish the runway.
Construction crews started 25R’s revival in February 2014 by digging up three feet of asphalt and earth over its entire 6,200-foot length, and repaving it with 50 percent recycled asphalt. The renovation will extend the life of the runway for approximately 30 years, according to LGB. With the reopening of 25R, the LGB’s two other runways, who were taking on the extra aviation activity, will be relieved of the extra traffic.
Gates will open at 12:30PM, the fun run starts at 2:00PM followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3:00PM.
Parking will be available in Lot B at Lakewood Blvd. and Donald Douglas Dr. and will be validated free of charge, while free shuttles will be available every 15 minutes starting at 12:30PM to and from the runway.
Participants are urged to RSVP at [email protected] or by calling (562) 570-2678 with their shirt size in order to receive an official Run the Runway t-shirt.
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