London City Airport (LCY) swapped aircraft for runners on October 17, 2026, when part of its runway became the course for Nike’s After Dark Tour London 10K, a nighttime race for women.
The sold-out event drew about 5,000 runners, racing on the airport’s runway with the London skyline in view, a stretch normally used by aircraft rather than race participants.
Race took place outside operating hours, with no impact on flights
A London City Airport spokesperson told AeroTime that the race was a planned event held outside the airport’s operational hours, and that there was no impact on flights. The airport has a single runway.
The course started and finished at Silverworks Island in East London’s Royal Docks. Runners followed closed roads through the docks, past the Millennium Mills and along the waterfront before heading onto the runway.
Nike described the flat route as fast and suited to runners chasing personal bests.
The event site opened at 15:00 local time, with runners setting off in four waves between 18:30 and 19:00 local time, grouped by expected finishing times that ranged from under 50 minutes to two hours. The evening also included live DJs, athlete hosts, an expo and a post-race celebration with a live performance by British singer-songwriter Pink Pantheress.
During the race, rolling road closures were in place around Silverworks Island, the Royal Docks and the airport, with organizers encouraging participants and spectators to use public transportation.
London is one of seven stops on Nike’s 2026 After Dark Tour
The After Dark Tour is Nike’s global nighttime running series for women, combining racing with music, community events and post-race celebrations. Nike launched the series in 2025, and its first year drew more than 50,000 women across seven races on five continents.
The 2026 tour also visits seven cities. London, Shanghai, Manila and Mumbai host 10K races, while Los Angeles, Mexico City and Sydney host half-marathons.
London City isn’t the only airport to open its runway to runners
Runway races have become a popular way for airports to connect with their local communities and raise money for charity. Here are some airports in the United States that have held running events on their airfields:
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) hosts the annual FlyBy 5K and 2-Mile Fun Run/Walk, which takes participants along its taxiways and past construction of its new terminal.
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) has held a Run the Runway 5K and 10K on its airfield, with some editions featuring aircraft displays such as a United Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
- Miami International Airport (MIA) opens Runway 8L/26R for an annual charity 5K in aid of local health organizations, drawing up to 2,500 runners.
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has periodically hosted a runway 5K with the March of Dimes, giving participants a close look at airport operations and equipment.