04 November 2019

• Sydney Airport announces Centenary Christmas Appeal partner, Surf Life Saving Sydney
• Tickets now on sale for the iconic Runway Run. Funds raised to support education and training of local Nippers and Surf Lifesavers
• Sydney Airport continues Centenary celebrations

This year the airport celebrates 100 years as Sydney’s Airport. To mark the milestone, the airport boosted its 18-year partnership with Surf Life Saving Sydney (SLSS) by directing all funds raised from its annual Christmas Appeal to the training of more than 11,500 Nippers and volunteer Surf Lifesavers to help keep 15 beaches across Sydney safe this summer.

Sydney Airport’s annual Christmas Appeal has raised more than $1.7 million over the past seven years for local and national charities, through the generosity of the airport community and travelling public. The 2019 Christmas Appeal will continue Sydney Airport’s Centenary celebrations, launching with the largest Runway Run in the airport’s history.

The fifth annual Runway Run on Saturday, 23 November will see more than 1000 people tie up their laces to race down one of the most unique places in Sydney, an airport runway. The day on the airfield will include food trucks, rides, face painting, Santa and his Elves, live entertainment and a series of running events for the whole family.

Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert invited Sydneysiders to save the date for the iconic Runway Run. “Each year for our annual Appeal, we partner with an organisation that provides vital support to the Sydney community. For our Centenary year it made sense to celebrate this milestone with an organisation we’ve had a strong partnership with for almost two decades, Surf Life Saving Sydney,” Mr Culbert said.

“We’re really proud of our 18-year partnership with Surf Life Saving Sydney. They’re not only training kids to keep our beaches safe, they’re also investing in our future leaders.”

“It’s great to see the community get behind the Runway Run. It’s a fun day out shared with family and friends, while raising funds for a good cause.”

Surf Life Saving Sydney President Peter Agnew said that the Centenary Christmas Appeal was an exciting way to kick off the summer season.

“Funds raised through the partnership will directly assist the efforts of our frontline lifesavers in keeping Sydney’s beaches safe as we head into the busy summer period,” Mr Agnew said.

“We’re proud to head into our 18th year of partnership with Sydney Airport and to be part of the airport’s Centenary celebrations.”

The day will see the Sydney and SLSS communities participate in a series of events that will bring the beach to the runway:

• Surf Life Saving Sydney - Nippers Runway Race (500m)
• Surf Life Saving Sydney - All Age Runway Relay (500m)
• Family Fun Run (250m)
• Sydney Airport Staff Race (500m)
• SYD Sprinter (1km)
• Surf Life Saving Sydney - Club vs Club Patrol Race (500m)

Tickets are available now for the Centenary Runway Run. To purchase tickets, click here.