Race to give runners tour of McCarran’s new terminal

Just once, would you like to go the airport and not worry about dodging taxicabs, unloading bags or running late for your flight? To proceed at a leisurely pace -- or whatever pace you wish -- as you make your way around the terminal?

As it happens, you can do just that at the first public event to unveil McCarran International Airport's latest project, Terminal 3, or T3 for short. All you'll need to pack are your running shoes.

Runners, walkers and curiosity seekers can take part in the June 2 event, dubbed the Terminal 3 Fun Run, 5K and 10K. Officials expect to open registration today (www.active.com), with the field limited to 3,000 entrants.

Participants will hit 8.2 linear miles of new roads that, following the race, will be used exclusively for vehicular traffic. The race represents an opportunity to get familiar with the new terminal, but the allure for many will likely be the chance to run on pavement that will never again be open to foot traffic.

"The first community introduction to the terminal will be the races," said Rosemary Vassiliadis, McCarran's Deputy Director of Aviation. "When do you ever get to go on an airport road system or go through the terminal without being in a rush?"

The idea is unique, but not unprecedented. In fact, McCarran officials have been down this road before. When the airport connector tunnel was completed in 1996, the first event was a 10-kilometer race.

"One of the ideas that came across very early on was that was a very fun run for the tunnel," Vassiliadis said. "It was a great success, and people are still talking about it. So whenever you have a new roadway of any sort, a run is pretty much suggested. We hope for the same success as last time."

Vassiliadis said one reason the race represents such a rare opportunity is that, since 9/11, almost all airport construction nationwide was in areas inaccessible to the public, other than for passengers holding boarding passes.

"Airports by nature now are very closed off. So when can you actually reach out to the community and say, 'Come out?' '' Vassiliadis said. "All the improvements at airports (in the United States) over the last 10 years have been in security and beyond security. This is the first unit terminal opening since 9/11."

Vassiliadis noted that June marks an unofficial start of training for December's Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, and she expects many local runners to come out for the 6:30 a.m. start -- in hopefully mild morning temperatures. But the event is geared to participants of all ages and levels.

"The big thing for us is that it's a family-friendly, community-friendly event for all. Walkers, parents with strollers, bring your family out for a couple hours," said Vassiliadis, adding there will be travel-related prizes, and that the event benefits Child Haven and other children's charities in Southern Nevada.

Runners of the 10K and 5K will get to cover substantial portions of T3's roads, allowing a better opportunity to learn how to get around the terminal later, when they come back in cars.

"We want to make sure we go past the garage, go past the ticketing/departure curb and passenger pickup/baggage claim," Vassiliadis said. "Those are on three different levels. So those are the three big messages we want our passengers and locals to be familiar with."

Vassiliadis said T3 will feature plenty of dynamic signage that will be in use for the race. The entry fee is $30 for the 5K or the 10K, and $20 for the 1-mile fun run/walk. Race-day registration is $5 more.

Contact reporter Patrick Everson at peverson@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0353.