SMAT Runway 5K

On Wednesday, May 11, 2022 we lost a good friend, Mark Linsley, to cancer.  Mark loved to run competitively and with his family.  The 2021 SMAT 5K was one of Mark's last races before being diagnosed with kidney cancer which spread through his whole body over the following months.  Mark was a former SMAT board member and a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) who provided certification check rides for many SMAT students over the years.  In honor and memory of Mark, we have decided to rename and dedicate this special race at the Ionia County Airport as the "Mark Linsley Memorial SMAT Airport 5K."  All proceeds from the race will be designated toward a scholarship fund to benefit future flight students at SMAT.

A unique 5K race at the Ionia County Airport to kick off the Community Day activities hosted by the School of Missionary Aviation Technology (SMAT). 

FUN FAMILY EVENT!!  All-you-can-eat pancake breakfast is included in the cost of registration. A multitude of family events will be available all through the day. Other activities includeSMAT tours, Kids' Zone games, concessions, ice cream,  airplane rides and MUCH MORE!! Airplanes will be flying in and out, and airplane rides will be available all day for a nominal fee. 

The race will start at 7:30 am

Register your group/family at the same time and receive $2 off per participant!  Applies to groups/families of 3 or more.

All pre-registered participants receive a t-shirt if registered by June 10th, (t-shirts not available after June 10th), and are entered into a drawing for a free airplane ride.

Awards: Overall winner of the SMAT 5K will receive an aerobatic airplane ride with Majestic Air.  Winner of each age group receives an airplane ride voucher
Age Groups: 18 and under, 19-34, 35-49, 50-64,65+. Awards will be given out in the SMAT flight hangar at 9:00 am

Course:  The race start is on the ramp at the east end of the Administration/Aviation Maintenance Training building

Packet Pickup: Friday, June 16th from 6:00-7:30 pm at the SMAT flight hangar (84 E Sprague Rd). Race day morning starting at 6:30 am.

Be sure to register early! There is no Race Day Registration: Registration for the race ends on June 16th. 

Parking: SMAT main entrance on Sprague Rd across from Menards.  There will be signs and people directing traffic

The race will be chip timed by the Michigan Running Foundation. Results will be posted during the race and on this web site.