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Where We’re Running Around Charlotte

With miles and miles of streets, sidewalks, greenways, and trails, runners around Charlotte are still creatures of habit. That’s great news for folks who are new to town or just visiting; they’re sure to find some paths well-travelled and maybe even some good company. 

It doesn’t take exhaustive searching or even knowing much about the area to find great places to run. We did some googling, some heat mapping, and cross-checked that with our own experiences for a short list on where folks are running around Charlotte. 

Credit: Our State Magazine

The Booty Loop – Arguably, one of Charlotte’s most well-known and well-trod running loops. Yes, the 3-ish mile loop has a healthy dose of incline, but you’re rewarded by the shade of some of Myers Park’s most beautiful trees. Find it: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/1705539215 

Little Sugar Creek Greenway – This is one route that just keeps getting and better better – and longer. Recent extensions stretch the area’s oldest greenway from NoDa all the way down past the South Carolina state line. Find it: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5337933793 

Credit: Charlotte Rail Trail

Charlotte Rail Trail – Running along the Light Rail and winding from the heart of Uptown to South End, the 3.5 mile Rail Trail passes breweries, art galleries, restaurants, bars, and some of the swankiest addresses in town. The northernmost point is off E 9th Street between N College St. and N Brevard St. The southernmost point is at the corner of South Blvd. and Clanton Rd. Find it: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5312612977 

Whitewater Center – With 50 miles of trail spread across more than 1300 acres, the Whitewater Center is more than worth the $6 day parking pass. Make a day of it with lunch or dinner, or get in on some of the seasonal activities, like pond hockey, rafting, SUP, ziplines, music festivals, and more. Trail map: https://center.whitewater.org/plan-your-visit/facility-map/ 

McAlpine Creek Park and Greenway – One of the OG routes in Charlotte, and home to the McAlpine Creek XC course. A mix of paved path and packed gravel, McApline connects with Cambell Creek Greenway to the north for even more miles. Find it:  https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/1616643727 

Note: Charlotte also has loads of organized brewery runs and run clubs. Check out the Charlotte Running Club, Run CTL Run or any of the great local running specialty shops for other great places to run!

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Banana Walnut Pancakes with Tart Cherry-Maple Syrup 

12-14 pancakes and ½ cup syrup

This recipe is a wonderful comfort food and is relatively healthy, including many ingredients to help you recover from your run or workout. Greek yogurt and milk provide protein, calcium and Vitamin D; the antioxidants in tart cherries help with muscle soreness; whole grain flour replenishes carbs, protein and fiber; bananas have potassium to stop muscle cramping; walnuts have good fats, protein and omega-3’s; eggs are lean protein also with omega 3’s which are good for brain and heart health. 

Directions: 

Hardware: 2 large mixing bowls, measuring spoons, dry measuring cups, liquid measuring cups, ¼ cup measure for sizing the pancakes, whisk, fork (for mashing banana), rubber spatula, nonstick pan, pancake turner, warm oven (180ºF) if not serving immediately, small saucepan, paper towels, plate or baking dish to hold finished pancakes

Ingredients

2 cups King Arthur White whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 ¼ cups milk or plant-based milk 

¾ cup smashed very ripe banana

½ cup roughly chopped walnuts

¼ cup pure maple syrup 

2 eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 tablespoons vegetable or melted coconut oil

Nonstick canola spray for cooking (or butter if you prefer)

For the syrup: 

½ cup tart cherry juice

¼ cup maple syrup

Method of Preparation 

• Allow any chilled items (banana – if smashed from frozen, milk, yogurt, eggs) to sit out until room temperature. By allowing them to warm from chill, they mix better for a smoother batter that will make fluffier pancakes. 
• Meanwhile start the tart cherry reduction. In a small saucepan, cook the tart cherry juice on medium high heat until it reduces by half (or even further if you want a thicker syrup). Add the maple syrup and whisk together. Set aside or in refrigerator to cool. 
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, walnuts. 
• In the other large mixing bowl, whisk together the wet room temperature ingredients: yogurt, milk, smashed banana, eggs and vanilla first and then whisk in the oil last.
• Make a well in the dry ingredients and then pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients using the rubber spatula to gently fold together from the bottom of the bowl until there are no dry spots. It will be a thick batter that may be a bit lumpy – and that is okay. 
• Allow the batter to sit for at least 5 minutes to rest. 
• On a medium stove setting, heat the nonstick pan. Once it is hot, make one pancake with the ¼ measuring cup. The first one is always a tester, so don’t waste the batter until you get this one done. Cook the pancakes until the edges start to look set and lightly bubble holes around the outside show up, then flip and cook on the other side another minute or two. After this tester one, make as many in batches as fit well in your pan, wiping out the pan with paper towels and re-adding pan spray or butter to melt for cooking. 
• Hold pancakes in a warm oven, or eat immediately with the tart cherry-maple syrup. Enjoy!

Editor’s note: We made a few adjustments, since we can’t leave well enough along. We used almonds rather than walnuts, and we doubled the syrup recipe added whole cherries.