Airport will host the first ever STL Day on the Runway

St. Louis Lambert International Airport will host the first ever STL Day on the Runway this spring in partnership with area law enforcement agencies and Fed Ex in support of individuals with intellectual disabilities served by Special Olympics Missouri.    

The inaugural family friendly event will be on Sunday, April 15 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. and will include 5K Race and Family Fun Walk, a Plane Pull® and a family festival with a variety of attractions and events.   

“Through our partnership with Law Enforcement Torch Run®, Special Olympics Missouri has the honor of providing unique events in our local communities,” said President and CEO Mark Musso. “We are excited to work with St. Louis Lambert International Airport, FedEx and law enforcement partners to bring the St. Louis community together in an effort to raise awareness and break down social barriers and stigma that often surrounds individuals with intellectual disabilities.”   

“Many airports across the country have had the opportunity to host plane pulls and other events like these,” said Airport Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge. “This will be a first for STL and we’re honored to partner with Special Olympics Missouri for this inaugural event.”

 STL Day on the Runway is a fundraiser designed to provide participants with a unique experience while raising awareness and money to support individuals with intellectual disabilities served by Special Olympics Missouri. 

Area runners can sign up now to be the first to run on an STL runway.  The race course is set for portions of Runway 11-29 and its taxiways making it a clean, fast track that will allow runners great chances to improve their pace and for families looking to participate in a family walk designed for all ages! Prizes will be awarded in several categories. 

STL Day on the Runway will feature a team competition Plane Pull®. Teams of up to 25 people can test their strength by pulling a large FedEx cargo aircraft. This is a great team building opportunity! Prizes will be awarded in several categories.

STL Day on the Runway offers a fun family atmosphere with a family festival with activities for children and kids of all ages, including a mini pulling event, displays that give you a sneak-peak behind the scenes of the Airport and highlight some of the tools of our community’s first responders. Entertainment, opportunities to participate in activities with Special Olympics Missouri athletes, food trucks/food vendors, and more compliment this family friendly event. 

All proceeds from STL Day on the Runway ensure that more than 6,000 Special Olympics Missouri athletes in the St. Louis community have the opportunity to participate in local and regional activities for little or no cost to them.  

To register or for more information about this truly unique community event, visit: https://somo.org/stlday or contact Stacey Koeller of Special Olympics Missouri at (314) 961-7755 or koeller@somo.org. 

Special Olympics is a movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day. Using sports as a catalyst and programming around health, education, leadership and youth involvement, Special Olympics establishes innovative partnerships that amplify the strengths, abilities, joy, confidence, success and fulfillment of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, on the playing field and in life. In Missouri we serve more than 15,300 athletes.  

Visit Special Olympics at www.somo.org; Twitter  @somissouri; Facebook fb.com/specialolympicsmo.