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A new race is set to take off on Dunedin Airport’s 1.9km runway.
The Rotary Club of Mosgiel and Taieri Community Facilities Trust have received permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand and Dunedin Airport to hold Run the Runway — a race aimed at raising funds for the new aquatic centre in Mosgiel.
Taieri Community Facilities Trust chairwoman Irene Mosley said participants could pay $100 each to run or walk from one end of the runway to the other, and back again depending on their ability.
And for those who were a little more competitive, there would be a digital clock for people to record their times.
Mrs Mosley said tickets for the race would go on sale today, but the event would not be held until dawn on January 28, 2018.
It would be open to people 16 years old and over, and participation was limited to 500 people.
She said it was a rare opportunity for people to take a run on the airport runway.
"This is a New Zealand first and we believe one of only three in the southern hemisphere.
"A number of options will be available for people, starting at $100, and our goal is to raise at least $50,000 from this event.
"We are including a business challenge where people can either pay to see someone run the runway or people can seek sponsorship as a way to raise funds for the pool."
She said the person who raised the most money for the project would be awarded a free training flight from Mainland Air.
"The prize for the fastest time will simply be a new aquatic facility in Mosgiel."