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7 Reasons to Run the Novant Health Lucky Day 7k 

If you’re paying any kind of attention at all, you’ve probably seen we’re launching a brand-new, spring-flavored event this year, called the Novant Health Lucky Day 7k. If this is the first time, you’re hearing about it… that’s cool, too. Either way, we’d love to have you make a little history with us on Saturday, March 16^th! 

If you’re looking for reasons beyond just an invitation, here are seven reasons we think you’ll love about running the new Novant Health Lucky Day 7k! 

This PR is on lock. Chances are pretty darned good most of us haven’t run a 7k. So, whether this is your first race ever, or you’re a veteran of the local road running scene, you’ll probably have a “best day ever” at this unique distance! 

Lots of FREE parking. No pun intended. OK, it was a layup. In a fast-growing city like Charlotte, event parking can be a drag. Brixham Park in Ballantyne is surrounded by plentiful parking. Plus, getting in and out of the area is easy, too. 

Brixham Park, photo courtesy: GoBallantyne

Recover Brands event tees! For real, we are so excited about this new partnership with the folks at Recover Brands! The Novant Health Lucky Day 7k will be the first 2024 event where this one comes to life via Recover Brands event tees. Stay tuned for more year-round opportunities to support sustainable running events, and create some community!

Lucky Charms eating contest. Yep, that’s going to be a real thing. Select entrants will get the chance to house an entire box of this magically delicious cereal. The fastest finisher will walk away with some actual green. It’s one interesting way to earn $100, that’s for sure!

Lawn games and giveaways. Come out for the run, stay for the fun! We’ve got all kinds of activities planned for after the 7k run. Lawn games and contests, galore. With plenty of green space to spread out in Ballantyne’s Brixham Park, too. Plus, we’ll be dropping that trivia for your chance to win some of these $25 Run For Your Life gift cards! 

We’re making history together. No joke! It’s not every Saturday you get to make running history. Run this one with us, and you’ll do just that! You’ll be part of this first-ever event, and can wistfully look back and say, “I was there!” Good for you! 

Beer. Yep. We’re having that, too. Because nothing says breakfast like Lucky Charms and beer. But maybe that was just at our house? haha! For real, though. We have an exciting new partnership with the folks at Adams Beverage and Anheuser-Busch. They’ll have an all-new lineup of adult beverages and all-ages offerings, too. 

And, as luck would have it; you’ve still got a little time to register for this one! The Novant Health Lucky Day 7k is Saturday, March 16. We’ll see you then and there.

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Safety Conversation Continues 

At a Charlotte City Council meeting chambers packed with people, chants, and tensions over the situation in the Middle East; a group of local runners filled the rows of an upper balcony waiting for a singular voice to share their concerns about safety.

In the public session before the Council’s official business agenda, Jesus Delatorre represented some area runners in their effort to make sure everyone has the opportunity to run or walk outside. 

For his two minutes, Delatorre thanked council members and public safety for increased signage and police patrols along popular running routes. He also reminded them of local and national stories that highlight the work needed to help everyone feel safer outside. A Georgia nursing student’s murder just a week prior was a stark reminder of the dangers some runners face – particularly female runners and people of color. 

“It’s important to show that this issue is not important to just one person,” Delatorre told us. “We felt as though having more people there can show the council members that their constituents in the community feel like this is an important issue.”

Tammy Brown McClellon was one of those runners in the balcony. She said it’s important to show up for meetings like this, because there’s power in numbers. 

“I also believe it’s important to show up and represent for causes that you’re passionate about,” she added. “I am a person of color and a woman, so I feel like I have to be uber cautious when exercising outside. Any measures that can be put in place to make runners feel safe, I will gladly advocate for.”

And the opportunity in front of councilmembers was more than just a one-time presentation. Delatorre says he was able to connect with representatives from Charlotte Department of Transportation because of the meeting. He plans to sit down with them, and invite them to upcoming open safety forums and continue to push for mobility safety. 

Prior safety forums have featured guests from Charlotte-Meckleburg Police, Sustain Charlotte, Vision Zero, and other pedestrian and people-focuses programs. Organizers are planning the next mobility safety forum now. If you’re interested in finding our more, you can follow @runcltrun on their social media platforms. 

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RunCharlotte x Recover to Partner for Sustainable Event Gear and More 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

February, 27 2024 

Charlotte —  RunCharlotte and the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon announce a multi-year agreement with North Carolina-based Recover Brands to provide event tees, official merchandise, and more – with less of an environmental impact.  

RunCharlotte owns and produces six of Charlotte’s most well-known running events, including the Yiasou Greek Festival 5k, Hit the Brixx, and the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. Recover is the leader in the development of 100% recycled AND 100% recyclable apparel and gear with low waste, and positive impact on the environment. This new partnership allows both brands to act on a shared mission to make a positive impact on the community.  

“To provide our runners with the best possible experience, lessen our environmental impact, and work with a local company to do it… that’s a win-win-win,” said Tim Rhodes, RunCharlotte President and Managing Partner of the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. “This partnership with Recover speaks directly to our goal of creating opportunities to build an active, engaged, and healthier community — and connecting with partners who share the same vision.”

Runners can expect to see the first of the Recover product as the event tees for the March 16 Novant Health Lucky Day 7k. https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Charlotte/LuckyDay7K 

“Recover is thrilled to be the Official Apparel Partner of RunCharlotte and their entire family of events starting in 2024. This partnership highlights their commitment to sustainability by choosing an apparel partner like Recover that is focused on making high-quality, low-impact products through our HyperLocal™ supply chains.” said Bill Johnston, Founder & President at Recover. “We’re excited to offer runners, volunteers, and staff an assortment sustainable apparel, headwear and accessories, that are both made from recycled materials and fully recyclable through the Recover Closed Loop Program”

Along with event tees for each RunCharlotte series event, Recover will produce a line of exclusive, official Novant Health Charlotte Marathon apparel, which will be available online and at the 2024 Marathon Expo. RunCharlotte and Recover will also partner on other sustainability-focused community engagement projects and initiatives throughout the year. 

About RunCharlotte and the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon: 

RunCharlotte is Charlotte’s home for the resources, inspiration, and experiences to guide runners of all paces. Since 2005, the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon has capped the local road racing season. The event, its participants, and partners have contributed nearly $500,000 to support programs at Novant Health’s Hemby Children’s Hospital. November 16, 2024 marks the 20^th anniversary running of The Novant Health Registration is open for all events at: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Charlotte/CharlotteMarathon 

About Recover Brands:
Recover is on a mission to help the earth recover by outfitting everyone with apparel and gear for the biggest positive impact possible. As a pioneer in recycled textiles, and THE RESPONSIBLE COMPANY FOR EVERYONE, Recover has specialized in manufacturing apparel and gear out of certified 100% recycled materials since the company’s founding in 2010. Through its vertical manufacturing and HyperLocal™ supply chains, Recover utilizes a unique process of repurposing recycled cotton and recycled plastic into high-quality, low-impact apparel and gear.  This process conserves over 10 times the amount of water and energy as conventional apparel and significantly reduces carbon emissions.  And all Recover apparel is fully recyclable through its 360° Closed Loop program.  Connect with Recover on Instagram, Strava, YouTube, Facebook, and online at RecoverBrands.com. #BeTheImpact

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Media contacts: 

• DC Lucchesi – dc@well-runmedia.com 704-577-8459 
• Adam Bratton – adam@recoverbrands.com

Running Terms You Need to Know 

Running—like any other exploit, activity, or sport – has its own lexicon. While none of it is particularly obscure, some of the running vocabulary we use on the daily can leave folks new to the game feeling like they’re on the outside looking in. And with some surveys suggesting nearly 30% of today’s runners have just come to the sport since the pandemic… that’s a whole lot of runners who’ve never talked the talk. Let’s fix that. 

Here are some common running terms and a few extras you’ll hear at the group runs, races, and on the social media accounts you’re following. 

Bib: You’ll get one of these at most every race or more formal running event you sign up for. It’s got your participant number on it and, more than likely, your timing chip is attached. (More on that in a minute) It’s to be worn on the front of your shirt, visible to race officials, photographers, and volunteers.

Chip: This is essentially a tiny transponder attached to your race bib that is “read” by computer as you cross over the start line, the finish line, and other checkpoints along the event route. “Chip time” is the total time it took you to cross the start line and reach the finish. This differs from “gun time;” which is elapsed time between the official event start and your finish time.

Conversational Pace: Quite literally, a pace that you can hold and also sustain a conversation. While far from scientific, it’s safe to say that if you’re running comfortably enough to engage in conversation, you’re not overdoing it. 

Dreadmill: A not-so-loving reference to a run or workout completed on a treadmill. Hey, we get it. The treadmill is not for everybody. 

Negative Split: Running the second half of a race or training run faster than the first half. This strategy is often used to conserve energy early on and finish strong.

Plogging: A casual run punctuated with bouts of picking up litter along the running route or path. The term merges the word “jogging” with the Swedish phrase “plocka upp,” which means, “pick up.” It’s easy to do, and requires nothing more than a trash bag. Some disposable gloves are a nice touch, too. 

Run Clubs: Generally, a casual weekly run at a set time and location. Often starting at coffee shops and breweries, these laid-back runs provide community and an opportunity to socialize. Distances range from 1 to 5 miles, and are approachable for most any pace. 

Runner’s High: The much-talked of euphoric feeling often experienced during or after a run, characterized by a release of endorphins that produces a sense of well-being and reduced pain perception. You’ll know it when you feel it. 

Streak: Running on consecutive days, for a set distance, without fail. The generally accepted minimum distance is at least one mile on either the roads, and can be completed on the road, track, trails, or on a treadmill. Your run streak can be for weeks, months, years, or as long as you can keep it up.

Taper: The period of reduced training volume and intensity leading up to a race. This down period allows the body to recover and store energy for peak performance.

Did we miss a term that should be added to this starter list? Is there a running word or term you’d like to know more about it? Drop a note to ed@runcharlotte.com

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The only constant certain as change is the fact that not everyone will be happy about it. And changes at parkrun experienced the same fate when it was announced that the free, volunteer-led runs would no longer publish certain data on its website. Not a decision made on the local level, mind you, but one from the organizers that oversee the now 20-year old program.

A lot has changed in those 20 years, too. Since 2004 we’ve witnessed the era of social media and smartphones; lived through a global financial crisis, Brexit, and a pandemic; and seen the Cubs and Red Sox BOTH broke generations-long World Series droughts. As runners, we’ve seen the top men’s marathon times drop by 4-plus minutes. Training, research and technology have allowed even us regular runners to live better, healthier, and sometimes even fast running lives. In 2024, even the most basic running watch can now precisely track data we could only guesstimate 20 years ago. 

Along with all of that, parkrun has grown from a modest 13 persons at its first-ever London-area run, to a weekly opportunity for runners to find community in the UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and the US. That includes an every Saturday parkrun along Charlotte’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway, where you’ll likely find dozens of runners and volunteers regardless of the weather. 

We spoke with then-organizers Mitch Mitchell and Sarah Kline about parkrun about a year ago on The Running Around Charlotte Podcast. There’s been a change here, too, Mitchell tells us. Sarah’s moved from Charlotte, and Jess Bilbrey has joined Mitchell as co-organizer. Mitchell also says he doesn’t expect the global changes to impact participation locally. 

“It’s important to stress that there have been no changes in participants’ personal data, both historic and going forward,” Mitchell shared via email. “You still get the same email that says what your time was, tells you how many parkruns you’ve completed overall, how many times at that particular event, what place you finished, what your personal best time is, some information about your age grade.” 

The main elements now missing are a footer from the webpage that showed the fastest times by age and gender. The global decision to remove that data is the root of the controversy; a move organizers say was meant to be more inclusive and de-emphasize competition. 

Locally, Mitchell says, participants at Little Sugar Creek Greenway parkrun don’t seem too invested in the pages that were removed, 

“People come to parkrun to socialize, be outdoors, and have fun with the timing in their own way regardless of where they finish in the field.” 

The Little Sugar Creek Greenway parkrun is every Saturday morning at 9am. The run starts and finishes at the greenway entrance along Sharon Road West, and is an out-and-back course. There’s a pre-run briefing, and post-run coffee at an area coffee shop. All paces are welcome, and a volunteer walks the course behind the last participant. 

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