It’s that time of year. When our social media feeds are filled with finish line pics and triumphant photos from New York, Chicago, Marine Corps, and other marathon stories of personal success… served up with side of feeling that we’re missing out. This sensation can be particularly acute for us runners who find ourselves on the sidelines, whether by choice or circumstance.
Arguably, the running community is supportive by nature, but it’s also a breeding ground for comparison. When you see friends, celebs, and even strangers conquering these events, it’s easy to feel a surge of motivation mixed with a dash of envy. Scrolling through all the post-race selfies and reading emotional recaps can trigger a sense of urgency to participate – whether or not you’re physically or mentally prepared.
Those feeling can be amplified for runners who can’t find an opportunity to write their own success stories – like those hoping to register for this year’s Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, only to find entries sold out. You read that right. As of this writing, the marathon, half marathon, relay, and rucking divisions have all reached capacity. Entries to the Chick-fil-A 5k are the only ones remaining for the November 16 events.
What To Do If You Missed Out
But just because you can’t find an entry for this year’s event, that doesn’t mean you can’t be part of the 20th anniversary celebration. Here are just a few ways to be part of the excitement:
Register for the Chick-Fil-A 5K: A great option for runners of all levels to participate in the event weekend.
Volunteer Opportunities: Contribute to the running community by volunteering at the Expo or on race day.
Join the Party: Celebrate with runners and friends this Sunday, November 10th for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon sendoff party. It starts at 3pm at Mattie’s Diner. (3100 The Plaza, CLT 28205)
Join the Waitlist: There is a waitlist for the FULL Marathon only. https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Charlotte/CharlotteMarathon
The Bigger Picture
Remember that running is a lifelong journey, not a single event. FOMO can push you to grow, but it shouldn’t dictate your running decisions. Listen to your body, respect your current circumstances, focus on your personal progress, and plan ahead. At least in the near future, more and more events are expected to reach capacity – and faster. A full 60% of respondents to the Running USA 2024 Global Running Survey indicating they’ll run even MORE events in the coming years.