Close to 4000 delighted people laughed and beamed as they walked, ran, cycled, and skated along Rarotonga’s International Airport runway on Tuesday in commemoration of its 50th anniversary, to be celebrated on Monday next week.

For the first time ever, the public was granted access to the normally secured runway space.

Nikau Tangaroa, Airport Authority Cook Islands (AACI) chief executive officer, said he is amazed at the sheer number of people who attended the once-in-a-half-century event.

“It went well, considering we didn’t expect close to four thousand people turning up,” he said.

Tangaroa, along with AACI staff, stood along the tarmac to ensure things ran smoothly during the procession. He said most people he had engaged with had never set foot on the tarmac.

“It was great to see people from all walks of life, our elderly walking at a pace that suited them, and they have their own stories about the history of the airport. It was also good to see the kids having fun and the adults joining in as well … it was a great atmosphere.”

Tangaroa said feedback from the event was that people would like to have it occur more often and not wait until another 50 years.

Taoro Brown, chairman of AACI, walked the 2.3-kilometre runway with his wife, Health Minister Rose Vainetutai Toki-Brown.

“It was pleasing and we are appreciative of the response from the general public,” Brown said. “You’ve got be proud of our people who came along to celebrate by walking along the runway.”

“It’s an experience of a lifetime, a great opportunity. We don’t just do something like this… it was well coordinated by the Airport team.”

Yesterday, the Airport Trade Days located in the airport car park opened, and the food and craft stalls will run until tomorrow, Friday.