Ready, set, pull: Plane Pull event returns to Dulles International

Teams of 25 attempt to pull planes 12 feet along the runway the fastest at the Dulles Days Plane Pull. (Courtesy Dulles International Airport)

Think you’re strong enough to pull a plane?

Hundreds turned out at Dulles International Airport on Saturday to answer that very question at the 2019 Dulles Day Plane Pull.

Teams of 25 people hit the runway and attempted to pull an 82-ton FedEx Airbus A320 or a Boeing 757 for 12 feet. The team that pulls it the distance fastest is the winner.

The Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office defended last year’s title with a time of 4.95 seconds. It was their 12 victory overall. The Fairfax County and Prince William County Sheriff’s offices took tied for second at 4.96 seconds.

There was also a kids pull event, where teams compete to pull a dump truck.

The entire event was part of the 2019 Dulles Day Festival, presented by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and United Airlines.

The festival kicked off with a “Run the Runway” 5K and 10K races and had food, games, exhibitions and live music all throughout.

The event raises money for athletes with intellectual disabilities in Virginia. The event was established in 1992 and has raised over $2,000,000 in the 27 years that it has been active, according to a news release.

Classic cars, planes and motorcycles were also on display during the event. Visitors to the event could vote on their favorites in several categories.

Zeke Hartner

Zeke Hartner is a digital writer/editor who has been with WTOP since 2017. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University’s Political Science program and an avid news junkie.

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