Charlotte, NC — The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon will happen, albeit virtually, in 2020 — and runners will have a say in what this year’s virtual event looks like. RunCharlotte, the marathon’s production and management company, announced the move today with an invitation for runners to participate in a Facebook live event to discuss what they’d like to see in a virtual event.
“Runners are a resilient breed,” said Tim Rhodes, Race Director for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. “We’re used to overcoming obstacles, digging deep, and managing unique situations on-the-fly. This is no different. We’re ready to embrace the opportunity with the Charlotte running community, our partners, and friends!”
Rhodes agreed a virtual event isn’t anyone’s first choice, but added runners have experienced enough virtual races by now to know what they’d like to see.
The decision on this year’s events was made in consult with the team at Novant Health, the marathon’s title sponsor and official medical care provider.
“As a sponsor of the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, and as healthcare providers, we are committed to the health and safety of our community,” said Dr. Lisa Rentz, Director of Novant Health Event Medicine and lead physician for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. “For that reason we fully support the decision to postpone the 2020 marathon. We are working diligently to provide the safest experience possible for all our participants and look forward to seeing you in 2021.”
Registrants for the 2020 event will have plenty of options. Runners may engage in a virtual event this November, defer their registration to the November 2021 event, or donate their registration fee to the event’s beneficiary, Novant Health’s Hemby Children’s Hospital.
“Committing to a virtual event was not a decision that came easily— we explored every possible option,” added Rhodes. “But with so much uncertainty around events and with everyone’s health in mind, we feel this is the best and safest move to make.”
The 2019 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon was bigger than anticipated; the 26.2-mile race reached capacity, as did the half marathon, and marathon relay. In all, just shy of 6,000 people from 40 states and 8 other countries took to the start line for the 15th annual series of events.
About the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon:
Since 2005, the Charlotte Marathon has capped the year of road racing here in the Queen City. A community-wide celebration of health and wellness, the marathon is a showcase of iconic Charlotte views and historic neighborhoods, winding through uptown, Dilworth, Wilmore and the Gold District, Plaza-Midwood, NoDa, and South Charlotte. Renamed the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon in 2016, the event and its participants have contributed nearly $200,000 to support programs at Novant Health’s Hemby Children’s Hospital.
For more information about the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, see www.runcharlotte.com
Media contact: DC Lucchesi dc@well-runmedia.com 704-577-8459
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