Sarnia residents will have a rare chance to run down an airport runway on October 2, 2026, when the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario brings its Jordan’s Run the Runway event to Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The 5K run/walk/roll is open to people of all ages and abilities, and registration is now open online.
The event, presented by Siskinds LLP, honours Jordan Strickland, a London man who died in a February 2014 car crash at age 27. Strickland was a long-time camper and volunteer counsellor at YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth, and the annual run has raised more than $1.6 million over the past 11 years for YMCA programs, including sending kids to camp and helping families with membership costs.
This is the third year the event has come to Sarnia-Lambton. The first local run in October 2024 drew almost 170 participants and raised about $20,000. Proceeds from the Sarnia event support the local Sarnia-Lambton YMCA Jerry McCaw Family Centre, which offers fitness, aquatics, childcare and other community services.
Participants can run, walk, roll or use poles on the 5K course, which takes place directly on the runway at Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport. A 1 km kids race is also part of the evening. For those who cannot attend in person, a virtual participation option is available. More details and registration links are available on the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario website.
