Hi everybody.

Wanted to give you a report on the "JFK Runway Run", a 5K at JFK Airport that PhillyRunner and I did yesterday.

It is a unique experience -- they close the main runway at JFK, and most of the race is out-and-back, from one end of the runway to a JetBlue Embraer aircraft that had been towed to the middle of the runway (to make sure no aircraft would mistakenly try to use it for landings or takeoffs while occupied by hundreds of runners!) and then back to the start. It was also unique to be able to see pretty much the entire course from start to finish while running the race, since the runway obviously offers unobstructed views.

Needless to say, it was the flattest course I've ever run, and the reinforced concrete surface led to some pretty fast times. The conditions were perfect yesterday for a 5K, in the 60s, sunny, and the wind was calm. I was pleased with my time, finishing almost 2 minutes faster than in another 5K a week earlier, and taking third place in my age group. PhillyRunner was more than 2 minutes faster than me, and he had done another 5K just the day before, so I know he deserved to be pleased with his performance as well.

All runners were entered in a drawing for the grand prize -- 2 JetBlue tickets to anywhere they fly. You could also buy lottery tickets for a lot of other giveaways, from the bizarre like a trip to Ukraine on AeroSvit Airlines (yes, seriously), to the more practical, like several sets of Mets tickets.

It was a great race and a great day!

so what were y'all's times?

That's awesome!