TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In Traverse City, a unique event coming up on Saturday, May 17, combines the thrill of a 5K run with a mission of compassion.

According to the Traverse City Ticker , The TVC5K ” Run the Runway ” offers participants the rare chance to race on an actual airport runway while supporting Wings of Mercy , a nonprofit providing free medical flights to those in need.

Wings of Mercy: providing free medical flights.

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Wings of Mercy, based in Zeeland, Michigan, coordinates volunteer pilots who offer free air transportation to patients requiring specialized medical care far from home. Since its inception in 1991, the organization has facilitated over 8,000 flights, easing the burden for families facing long-distance medical journeys.

Steve Melvin, a Traverse City resident and Wings of Mercy pilot, has personally flown more than 100 missions, covering 10,000 miles last year alone.

Melvin’s mission to help families battling cancer is deeply personal. When his 13-year-
old son Jake was diagnosed, everything in their lives paused – consumed by treatments, scans, and long trips downstate for care. After Jake’s recovery, Melvin committed to giving back – using his own plane, volunteering his time. What could normally be a 10-hour round-trip drive from the U.P. to Ann Arbor turns into a much
faster trip.

Melvin’s efforts have transformed arduous, multi-day trips into manageable day visits, allowing patients to focus on healing rather than travel logistics. He also organizes the TVC 5K Run the Runway race.

The TVC5K: running with purpose.

Scheduled for Saturday, May 17 at Cherry Capital Airport, the TVC5K invites runners and walkers to experience the excitement of racing on a closed runway. Beyond the unique setting, the event serves as a fundraiser for Wings of Mercy, with 100% of registration fees supporting the organization’s mission.

Participants can enjoy close-up views of aircraft, interact with aviation professionals, and contribute to a cause that directly impacts the community. Last year’s event raised more than $24,000.