Podcast: Taking a morning run on the runway at Hartsfield-Jackson

accessAtlanta is your weekly podcast about things to do in and around Atlanta and beyond. This week, we’ll hear about a 5K that’s happening in an unusual spot.

Early on Oct. 16, 2,000 runners will file onto the the cleared fifth runway at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to relaunch the Mayor’s 5K on the 5th Runway. The six-year-old event was canceled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport calls it “one of the flattest — and fastest — courses in metro Atlanta.” As an AJC Peachtree Road Race qualifying event, it offers the opportunity for runners to score a good time, which allows them to be placed in an earlier starting wave for the Peachtree and push for a personal best. Kelly Yamanouchi, who covers Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for the AJC, recently spoke with John Murphy, who works in airside operations and is handling preparations for the event, and longtime runner and frequent flier Mark Davison, who will be running the 5K on the 5th Runway.