Blog: Feature Stories

At most any event, there are as many stories as there are runners. When Danyel Manley, family, and friends hit the start of the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, they’ll be carrying on a legacy of service that began with Danyel’s oldest sister, Tracey Gabriel. Tracey passed away from metastatic melanoma in November of 2024. As a mother, sister, friend, and labor and delivery nurse at Novant Health; she left a lasting impression on every life she touched. 

A Calling to Care

Friends and family say Tracey’s journey to Charlotte and to nursing was guided by compassion and a calling to care for others. And like most journeys, it was far from a straight line. A divorce and the need to care for her own two kids forced her to change gears – and careers – from car sales, to nursing. As she told The Charlotte Ledger in 2021, she’d always seen herself in scrubs.

In her nearly 20 years as a nurse, Tracey’s warmth and dedication to service made her an idyllic coworker and caregiver. “She was just such a pillar of her community at the hospital,” Danyel told us. “She felt like nursing was her calling … she was just so passionate about it and was so loved in that community.” 

Katrina Biel is a lifelong friend of Tracey’s. They met as kids when Katrina moved into the neighborhood up in New York and remained close for more than four decades. “There’s very little of my lifeline she’s not a part of … she just had such a genuine, good heart,” Katrina said. “Her heart was for her patients, her heart was for people—which made her an amazing person and nurse.” 

Faith and Acceptance 

Tracey’s final year was characterized by grace and determination to continue living fully despite her diagnosis. “She was a fighter and she was going to do everything she could to stick around,” Katrina told us. “She doubled-down on her faith throughout her illness, but if this was her calling … she was going to accept it.”

Danyel recalls, “She immediately wanted to just live to the fullest extent that she could.” And even though Tracey wasn’t a runner, that meant signing-up her entire family for a 5K run hosted by one of the local churches. “She was so thrilled that she actually did it, but she finished it!” That spirit is why the family chose the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon weekend to remember her together, convening as a group called “Tracey’s Tribe.” 

The team will include friends, family and some of Tracey’s former colleagues. Danyel will be running the marathon, while her husband, daughter, and some others in the Tribe will run or walk the Chick-fil-A 5K. Except for Katrina. She made it abundantly clear that she wouldn’t be running, but would be at the finish line to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments. “I love her with everything in me,” she joked. “but no, I am not running!”

Extending Tracey’s Legacy 

Barely a year since Tracey’s passing, her family and friends want to make sure the celebration and her legacy extend beyond race day. They’ve established a new nursing scholarship at Central Piedmont Community College in Tracey’s name to help future caregivers follow in her footsteps. 

“Her heart was always for her patients,” Katrina added. “There can’t be anything more suiting than a legacy that helps future nurses carry on her work.” 

Though Tracey’s passing is keenly felt, her family and friends hope others will be inspired by her story and, as her sister put it, “ to keep her spirit alive through gathering and remembering her and how much she meant to so many people.” And when Tracey’s Tribe lines up next weekend at the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon start, and as new nursing students receive a helping hand in Tracey’s name; her spirit of community, compassion and kindness will continue. 

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For lots of running parents, mixing training and family responsibilities requires creativity, teamwork, and sacrifice. Actually, that’s all parents. But we digress. Anyways, parents who run just make it work. Whether that means getting up and out on the road well before your kids wake, logging miles after they’ve gone to bed, or during their practices or recitals… you just figure it out. And some parents manage to take it next level; not just running, but training for speed, distance – or in Nathanael Williams’ case – a world record. 

Yes, Nathanael Williams: metallurgist by day, coach by afternoon, and running dad—mostly in the early morning. He isn’t just lacing up for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon… he’s aiming for the fastest half marathon while pushing a double stroller. “A couple of weeks before the Around the Crown 10K, I did a faster run with the double stroller and thought, ‘Maybe I could run fairly fast, even with the double,’” he told us. He clocked 33:32 that day; good enough for 18^th overall. That’s seriously fast, even without extra passengers. 

For starters, this record is no gimme. The current fastest time stands at 1:14:20. And Guinness rules actually require two living, non-stuffed passengers aboard the stroller to make it count. “It says in the rules, you have to have two living persons inside of it,” explains Nathanael. “No weight, just two living persons.” For Nathanael, that means his twins will be once again along for the ride. 

Even as a solo act, Nathanael is no slouch. He clocked a 2:30 marathon in Chicago in 2021. He ran varsity at Colorado School of Mines, as part of the team’s first national championship squad. A job with Hailie Gold Mine brought him to the Carolinas, but post-collegiate injuries kept him out of the competitive mix for a few years. Now Nathanael says he’s running well and up for the challenge. 

“I’ve been able to run a little more consistently. God’s given me a little bit of grace,” he said. These days, he’s up at 4 a.m. for early miles or on the bike if he can’t bring the kids—though that’s not his preference. “It’s not as fun because I can’t do it with the kids. Running, I can push them in the stroller, and we’re together.” 

Family is at the heart of the Williams’ running, and Nathanael and his wife Molly are clearly all in on the future of the sport. They also coach cross country together at Lancaster (SC) High School. And yes, their kids come along for cross country practice, too. 

Molly’s every bit the runner, as well; recording a 3:05 at that same Chicago Marathon. Even though she says she’s found it much more difficult to get back into running consistently this year; she and their oldest, Rosalie, will be cheering on Nathanael and the twins during this record attempt. “Spectating is a sport too! It’s an event for our whole family,” she told us.  

Records aside, the Williams’ will be racing into town Saturday morning, November 15, for Nathanael’s attempt. Molly says they expect at least a few of their cross country team’s runners will make the state championship meet that’ll be held on Friday, the night before Nathanael’s half marathon. Just another weekend of juggling family and running. Regardless of the outcome, they’ll have one heck of a story to tell about the 2025 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon weekend. 

Let’s just be honest here—most of us hate missing a workout, even when we’re feeling lousy. But there are times when swapping your sneakers for the couch is actually the smart (and healthy!) move.

How do you know when it’s cool to keep running or when it’s time for that unscheduled rest day? Dr. Keith Anderson from Novant Health (and medical director of the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon) drops this super simple rule: “I usually refer to the neck check,” he says. “If your symptoms are from the neck and above, you’re probably OK to run, but maybe back off on duration and pace. Sore throat, a little bit of a cough, nasal drainage, maybe ear pressure, or headache—these are the things that are neck or above.”

But, he adds, if you’ve got body aches, a fever, chest congestion, or you just feel wiped, Dr. Anderson says you’re better off resting up and letting your body recover. “Be smart about it, and if you really feel bad, you’re probably going to be better off with a little bit of rest than the extra run.” Coach Anne Fechtel from Cross Conditioning Training in Charlotte agrees. She sees runners try to “make up missed miles” all the time after they’ve been sick. “If you have a runny nose or nasal congestion, it’s okay to run and can actually sometimes help clear your sinuses. But if you have a cough, fever, or any GI illness, it’s best to take the time off,” Anne says. Even with a basic head cold, it’s smart to listen to your body and not push through if you’re not feeling it. “Head colds can vary so much and often hit their worst a few days in, so use common sense.”

Here’s one more Coach Anne tip: Don’t stress if you miss a day or two—your fitness isn’t going anywhere. “If you only miss a couple days, you can hop back into your training plan,” she says. “But if you miss more than 3-4 days, adjust the volume down a bit—50 to 75 percent—and ease back in, matching the time you were out with easier running. Coach says she always err on the side of caution, coming back with a slower pace and shorter runs until she feel like herself again. Duly noted.

We totally get it. With big races or bucket list events on your calendar, you might be hesitant to sit one out. We’ve all done it. But sometimes, rest really is the best. If you’re not

sure, your primary care physician and running coach are in your corner. Don’t be afraid to ask their advice. Long story short: Listen to your body, be smart, and don’t sweat a few missed miles. It may be just what the doctor (and the coach) ordered.

Running may seem like an individual sport, but Team Hemby continues to prove it’s something much bigger. Each mile run and every dollar raised helps Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital provide the best possible care to its youngest patients and their families. Through the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, runners like Myles Wynn are leading a movement that proves running really can change lives. 

When his family moved to Charlotte, Wynn told us they knew they wanted to get involved in the community. His wife joined the board of the Novant Health Foundation, which is how he learned about Team Hemby and ran the Novant Health Charlotte half marathon.

“It was amazing, just the coolest experience,” he told us. “Now I’ve got a bunch of my friends who have joined in, and one of them is actually tour in the hospital right now!”

Novant Health Foundation Philanthropy Manager Dani Smith says those fundraising miles are building critical care capacity that saves lives. “These funds are helping us create an intermediate care unit that bridges the gap between the PICU and the hospital’s general unit. This space will help limit readmissions and improve outcomes for our kids,” she explains. It’s a tangible difference Charlotte runners help make each year through the marathon. 

For Betsy Zarzour, Team Hemby’s coordinator, the joy lies in connecting purpose to pavement. “Making our miles meaningful and supporting children in the Charlotte area has been such a joy,” she says. “With every race, we’re expanding care — adding NICU beds, building new transition units, and providing more support for families in need.” 

Few understand that purpose better than Myles Wynn, who brings the energy of a marathoner and the heart of a dad who’s been there. His son Luke was just a month old when a respiratory virus turned to pneumonia, sending him into intensive care. “It was terrifying — we didn’t know if he’d make it,” Myles recalls. “Seeing those doctors and nurses in action showed me what real heroes look like”. When his family later returned to Charlotte, joining Team Hemby felt like more than a fit — it was a mission. 

Wynn’s goal is lofty: helping Team Hemby grow its fundraising to over a million dollars in the coming years. “I know it sounds big, but I’ve seen what’s possible,” he says, referencing his past experience running for Dana-Farber’s Boston Marathon team. “They give runners the fundraising playbook — stories, templates, everything. I’m wanting us build that same kind of system here so we can empower more runners to make a difference.” 

He’s not just talking about running, either. Wynn’s car is filled with Hemby bracelets and stickers his daughters hand out at school. “They’re all in — just like me,” he laughs. “It’s amazing to see how proud they are.” Balancing a full career, marathon training, and fatherhood isn’t easy, but Wynn says it’s worth every early morning. “I get up at four to run. It clears my head and fills my cup. After visiting Hemby or seeing a kid walk in for chemo, you realize — you have no problems.” 

For Wynn and his teammates, Team Hemby is more than a charity team — it’s a movement powered by gratitude and grit. “Charlotte’s growing fast,” he says. “We need to grow right along with it, so families get the care they deserve.”

It’s not too late to learn more or join Team Hemby as a fundraiser this season. In fact, you don’t even have to run! Learn more about it right here: https://thecharlottemarathon.com/team-hemby/ 

If you’ve been feeling a little lonely lately, you’re not alone. Lonlieness isn’t just the stuff of the long distance runner – or the Iron Maiden song. (Google it.) A recent national survey from Cigna found that more than half of Americans report feeling lonely. Full disclosure; it was actually Ashley Mahoney’s Axios article that brought it to our attention. And that got us thinking about everyone in this running community. Are we ok? 

Even in fast-growing cities like Charlotte, where about 157 people move in every day, making new friends can feel harder than ever. It’s ironic, really — with so many new faces and so much happening, it’s still so easy to feel disconnected. But here in the Queen City, there’s at least one thing that keeps bringing people together: Charlotte’s running culture. From small neighborhood meetups to the local, massive run club scene; running offers something that social media and group chats can’t: real connection.

By now, lots of area runners may know Lindsey McGee. She’s a run club regular, and Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassador. But that wasn’t the case when she moved to Charlotte two years ago.

“When I moved here, I wouldn’t have even called myself a runner,” she says. “In other cities, run clubs felt kind of intimidating — like they were just for fast runners. But Charlotte’s clubs are different. They’re really inclusive of people who walk, run slowly, or are just getting started.”

For Lindsey, what started as a way to meet a few new people turned into more.

“Those connections can grow outside of running. Some of my best friends now are people I met at a run club — we go to dinner, grab coffee, celebrate birthdays. It starts with a run, but it doesn’t end there.”

That’s something Danielle Heath can corroborate. She moved her with no job and no real contacts. And now she’s Community Outreach Director at Fleet Feet Charlotte, where she’s literally helping runners find community and each other on the daily. 

“Being here and integrating myself into the running community changed everything for me,” she says. “I’ve met my closest friends through running. Now, I get to help other people do the same — to build those connections and see how running brings people together.”

Professionals agree that connection and movement go hand in hand. Cliff Anderson, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Charlotte, and a runner himself. He often encourages his clients to find ways to get out and get active with others.

“For some folks, getting out and socializing becomes part of their ‘home practice’ in therapy,” he explains. “If someone likes running — or wants to try running for their health —local run clubs are a great option because they’re such a friendly bunch. It’s about finding the right fit for you.”

And with more than 80 run clubs around Charlotte, there’s a good chance you’ll find your fit somewhere. Lindsey sees it happen all the time.

“Sometimes it just takes one person to introduce you,” she says. “A friend of mine came to a run club at the Flying Biscuit after being here only a few weeks. We made sure someone kept an eye on him, and within days he had a whole group of friends. That’s the power of it — one run can turn into a whole community.”

Clare Kubiak knows that firsthand. She says running helped her find her people when she moved to Charlotte five years ago. 

“There are so many welcoming run clubs and groups — all with open arms. Once you make one connection, it opens worlds for you. The first big step is just making that one connection.” 

Loneliness can be a heavy feeling, but Charlotte’s running community has proven that sometimes the best way to lighten the load is to take that first step; even if it’s just around the block with strangers who might soon become friends.

If you’re looking to meet people who share your interests — or just want to make a new friend — try one of Charlotte’s local run clubs, or jump into an area race. You might find more than a running partner; you might find your community. And if your feelings of loneliness go deeper, help is available. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a licensed mental health professional. There’s no need to run that race alone.