Taking Pictures on the Shuttle Landing Facility We said the Pledge of Allegiance, the JROTC presented the flags, and then the race started. The amount of people was not too big, and everyone really felt welcome, regardless of why you were there.
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The entire Gateway to Space race was very well organized and low-key. We got our t-shirts before the race in case they ran out after the race. While waiting, there were a few vendors to talk to, as well as a line of porta potties. We were at the Shuttle Landing Facility in the dark for a while, but when the sun did rise, it was a gorgeous site to be on the space shuttle runway with the early morning light.
![race into space mini shuttle race into space mini shuttle](https://www.bmikarts.com/thumbnail.asp?file=assets/images/est7246.jpg)
RACE INTO SPACE MINI SHUTTLE REGISTRATION
We picked up our registration number outside of Kennedy Space Center’s main gate, and then went inside to board KSC buses to be driven to the Shuttle Landing Facility. I recommend staying in the area, we like the Holiday Inn Titusville. We arrived at Kennedy Space Center the morning of the race at 6 a.m. About 75% of the people there were dressed like they were ready for a race, but a lot of people that paid the entrance fee did it for the chance to step on a historic site at NASA. People who couldn’t walk well and used walking sticks. There were lots of people signed up for the race that had no intention of running at all. Turns out, I wasn’t the only one with the same plans. But it was on the NASA space shuttle runway, so how could I not? Walking a 5K So I was a little apprehensive about signing up for a 5K. I have never run a 5K, 10K or marathon before. (REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR 2019! THE DATE IS FEBRUARY 3, 2019.) Running a Race on the Space Shuttle Runway That is how I knew that registration was open. The only way I found out was by following the Gateway to Space 5k Facebook page, then turning on notifications for the page. The 2018 Gateway to Space wasn’t announced until late January 2018. So I constantly checked to see when the next race would be. I only knew about this race because I saw someone post about it after the first race in 2017. So the Gateway to Space 5K/10K is the best way to guarantee a visit to the old space shuttle landing strip. There is no tour to sign up for that will take you to the Shuttle Landing Facility to walk on the runway. While commercial businesses have been using the space shuttle landing strip since the space shuttle program ended (see more info below), the general public does not usually get a chance to visit the historic site. This rare event is definitely something to be on a space lover’s bucket list.
![race into space mini shuttle race into space mini shuttle](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/32/ba/e1/32bae1edc69f926738442c73a039e902.jpg)
The opportunity to run or walk on the space shuttle runway is absolutely awesome for anyone who loves the space program. The race for charity (American Cancer Society) is held on the actual space shuttle runway, known as the Space Shuttle Landing Facility. Gateway to Space 5K and 10K is held once a year. The Gateway to Space 5K and 10K is one of those rare times when the public can visit the space shuttle runway, called the Shuttle Landing Facility. Have you ever wanted to see the old space shuttle landing strip? Wondering how you can visit the place where the space shuttles landed and touched down? You can – but only during special events.