Reporters invited to cover 4th Annual 174th Attack Wing Runway 5K at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base

HANCOCK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, SYRACUSE, NEW YORK (07/30/2025) (readMedia)-- The New York Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing, in partnership with the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority is hosting its 4th annual Runway 5K at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base.

Members of the press are invited to cover the race at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 02.

WHO: More than 450 members of the greater Syracuse community have registered to participate in the event.

WHAT: The Runway 5K will begin at 8:00 a.m. During the event participants will run a course which consists of taxiways, service roads, and a runway at Syracuse Hancock International Airport. The course ends in front of the 174th Attack Wing hangar and the finish line will be flanked by two of the unit's MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft. Following the race, medals will be presented to the top finishers in various age categories, and the trophies will be awarded to the fastest male and female runner.

When registering for the event, participants were given the opportunity to make a small donation to the Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room located at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport. Like a USO lounge, the courtesy room provides military personnel with a comfortable location to relax, grab a complimentary bite to eat and wait for their flights.

The courtesy room is named in honor of a local Marine Cpl. Gregory J. Harris, who was captured in June of 1966 during the Vietnam War and is still unaccounted for. During the awards ceremony the collected donations will be presented to the courtesy room. More information about the Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room can be found at the following link: http://gregharrismcr.org

In addition to the aforementioned, the New York Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, the official U.S. Air Force auxiliary, will display one of their aircraft at the 5K, and local CAP cadets will be volunteering as race support personnel.

WHEN: To cover the 5K, members of the press must contact Tech Sgt. Alexander Rector no later than 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 1.

WHERE: Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, 6001 E. Molloy Rd, Syracuse, N.Y. 13211.

CONTACT: Tech Sgt. Alexander Rector at alexander.rector@us.af.mil, Phone (585) 353-3475

BACKGROUND:

Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) is operated by the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority, a New York public benefit corporation with an 11-member board. The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority was established on August 17, 2011, and the airport's FAA operating certificate was transferred from the City of Syracuse to the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority to operate the airport on March 1, 2014.

The airport is Central New York's gateway to the world with nonstop service to 29 destinations. The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority serves Upstate New York, providing a safe, convenient, seamless passenger experience while enhancing economic opportunity, development, and growth in the region.

The 174th Attack Wing is one of 5 wings that compose the New York Air National Guard. The Wing is headquartered at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, NY. The Base shares runways with the co-located Syracuse Hancock International Airport. The wing also has additional personnel and facilities at Fort Drum, NY. The primary mission of the 174th Atack Wing is to operate the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft.