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By now you’ve probably heard the news: the 2024 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon is a sold out affair. That includes every one of Saturday’s events: marathon, half marathon, relay, and the Chick-fil-A 5k. Even if “must do” and “marathon” are terms you’d never utter in the same sentence, this year’s record-setting event really will be a must-see! 

For starters, it’s the 20^th anniversary running of the event; you’ll at least want to tell your friends, “yeah – I was there!” There’s a record number of registrants this year, representing all 50 states and 19 countries. Showing off a little local color will give them something to go home with and tell their friends. And, it truly is inspiring to see all of these athletes taking on the challenge here at the end of the year. 

That being said, here’s where to see and be seen at this year’s event: 

Start line: Early-risers, this one’s for you. EVERY event starts Saturday morning along South Tryon Street, between Levine Ave. of the Arts and Brooklyn Village Ave. Marathon, half marathon, and relay runners begin at 7:20am; Chick-fil-A 5k runners begin at 7:35am. 

Mile 4.3: Plenty of great viewing space on both sides of Providence Road here. Runners should all still be buzzing with the excitement from the start line, and relay runners will be nearing their first handoff. Good times!

Mile 6: Our friends from Around the Crown 10k, Cross Conditioning Training, and the Ballantyne Run Club will collab at this cheer station just past the 10k mark. You’ll be happy to see them just before you make the turn to tackle that climb on Morehead Street! 

Mile 9: The Charlotte Running Club hosts this cheer station along Latta Park in Dilworth. It’s really a beautiful stretch along the route. Both full and half marathon athletes are still together at this point, so everyone gets a dose of the good, local vibes here. 

Mile 11: Our partners and friends from Dole will host their first-ever cheer station here. We cannot confirm or deny the presence of Bobby Banana at this location. They’re celebrating 125 years in the banana business. Expect fun to be had! 

Mile 14.5: At Belmont Ave. and North Davidson, the gang from Birdsong Brewing Run Club hosts this annual cheer station. It’s a great hang, and a welcome site for marathoners who’re just over a mile into the second half of their journey. 

Mile 17.5: Summit Coffee on the Plaza (2501 The Plaza) hosts this cheer station out of this popular morning run club location. If you’re local, you’ll want to add their Friday 6:15am run with the folks from Charlotte Running Club. 

Mile 18: Marathon runners pass Mattie’s Diner (3100 The Plaza) two times. The Mattie’s Diner Run Club and friends will be getting loud and proud. Easy parking at the Diner, in the adjacent lot across Shamrock Drive, or across the street at the grocery store. 

Mile 20: The Plaza, between Chestnut and Kensington. The people and the party in Plaza Midwood never disappoint. TBH, by the time you see them, they’ve probably been partying as long as you’ve been running. A real shot of energy and enthusiasm, and other stuff, if you’re amenable.

Mile 24.75: This is the second of two cheer stations hosted by Let Me Run. (The first is near NW corner of Latta Park, near mile 9.3) And the timing is perfect here, as marathoners have just about a mile and a half to the finish. If you’re not trying to find a runner at the finish, this is a great place to give runners one last, “you can do it!”  

Mile 26: Here at South Graham Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., the finish line is literally right around the corner. An absolutely appropriate spot to yell, “you’re almost there!” 

You can also find all of the cheer stations and entertainment locations along the event routes here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1d5dLYR55lRyy4dzVBg4ua_52oh1eegs&femb=1&ll=35.22828870261735%2C-80.84929656183243&z=19 

20^th Anniversary Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Weekend is Here!

FOR IMMEDIATE USE: 

November 14, 2024

Charlotte —  There’s plenty to celebrate this weekend at the 2024 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon! For starters, this year marks the 20^th running of the annual event. And, for the first time ever, all event distances are sold out. This year’s registrants represent all 50 states and 19 countries. 

All events start and finish in uptown Charlotte. Organizers are prepared for a record 9600 runners who’ll take on the full marathon, half marathon, relays, a rucking division, or 5k distance. 

“This really is a celebration of the running community and its ongoing support,” said Tim Rhodes, Managing Partner and Race Director for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. “We’re grateful for that, and the support of the City of Charlotte, public safety, the thousands of volunteers, the neighborhoods, and everyone who’s hosting a party or a cheer station along the course.” 

The weekend’s events begins Friday, November 15^th with the Health and Wellness Expo and packet pick-up at the Charlotte Convention Center. The Expo is free and open to the public, and include a day full of activities, vendors, retail experiences, Charlotte’s DJ Rosice, and LIVE recording sessions of The Running Around Charlotte Podcast. 

Saturday, November 16^th events include the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, half marathon, rucking half marathon, full and half marathon relays, and the Chick-fil-A 5k; all of which start on S. Tryon Street, between Levine Avenue of the Arts and Brooklyn Village Ave. in uptown Charlotte.  

Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Event Weekend Schedule: 

Friday, November 15

Health and Wellness Expo and Packet Pick-Up 

Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College Street, CLT 28202 

10:00am — 7:00pm 

Saturday, November 16

ALL events start on South Tryon Street, between Levine Ave. of the Arts and Brooklyn Village Ave.

7:20am — Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, half marathon, and marathon/half marathon relay starts

7:35am — Chick-fil-A 5K start 

Neighbors and drivers can find more information about traffic delays and road clear estimates here: https://thecharlottemarathon.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TBT-marathon-directions_2024.pdf 

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 event’s 20^th anniversary. https://thecharlottemarathon.com 

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Media contact: DC Lucchesi dc@well-runmedia.com 704-577-8459 

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 20^th 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 10^th 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.  

And just like that, it’s dark. Really dark.

Remember those lovely evening run club get-togethers, basking in the warm glow of the setting sun? Well, kiss those goodbye. Yes, we know we’ve been losing daylight since the summer solstice, but this is just too much drama. Now, by the time we lace up after work, it’s darker than a black hole’s basement. Soon we’ll be running by streetlight, headlamps on, and it’s not even 6pm.

Literally, just derailing the motivation train.

“I’ll just wake up earlier and run in the morning!” Can confirm that we’ve used that line, but have had little luck executing on that plan. It’s ridiculous how an hour’s difference can wreck your body’s rhythm. Now that 6am alarm feels like 3am, and the bed has never been more magnetic. Even though “falling back” allegedly gains us an hour, we have a hard time convincing our body and brain they’re winning here.

Shifting Gear

At least summer running’s wardrobe is simple. “Shoulder season” requires a whole new kind of study in local meteorology. Shorts or tights? Long sleeves, arm warmers, jackets or vests? Once you’re layered up like an onion, you’ll soon be shedding clothes trying to find that happy place between too cold and too warm. And does anyone remember where they stored all that reflective gear and headlamps when they got stored away last spring?

Running buddies dropping like flies

Running partners can get a little scarce this time of year. The darker and colder it gets, you’ll find those fair-weather running friends will go into hibernation, leaving you with even more reasons to stay put. Trying to organize a group run requires the persuasive powers of a used car salesman. “No, really, it’ll be fun,” you tell them, knowing damned well they’ll probably hate it. You’ll promise post-run coffee, a conversational pace, and all that jazz. At least it’s always a surprise to find out who’ll actually show up.

Here are some tips to roll with the changes from our friend Juliet Kuehnle at Sun Counseling and Wellness: 

• Get as much light as possible in the morning to help regulate your internal clock.
• Consider exploring new indoor exercise routines or joining classes that add some structure and motivation.
• Adjust your goals to focus on the mood benefits of exercise. Rather than chasing personal bests, aim to get moving in ways that feel good.

Daylight savings time’s end feels like a temporal assault on our well-established running routines, forcing us to unnecessarily adapt. Yes, we’ll be irrationally angry about it — for a little while, anyway. We’ll rage against the dying light (literally) until we get to do it all again in the spring. And just when we feel like we’ve gotten into a groove…

“It’s 2024, and the world has gone creepy,” Rebecca Greene said. “Some women just want to run, and they don’t want to be bothered.”

We’re on an ever-so-slight tangent during this interview. We’re talking about women and running, safety in numbers, and the growth and popularity of all-female running clubs. And she has all legitimate points. Sometimes, run club just needs to be about the running.

But as we discussed in the first part of this series, run clubs in Charlotte – and in other fast-growing cities like it – have become increasing popular places for folks to find new friends, learn more about the places they lives, and yes; maybe even find love.

READ: Run Club Romance – Part 1: You never know who you might meet

While the runners we spoke with said they see Charlotte area run clubs as a space for fitness and friendship first, they agreed there’s opportunity to find a potential partner. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re looking or interested or successful. At the very least, the shared interest in running and the time spent logging a few miles together can kindle a friendship or something more. And running is as good a place as any to begin.

For the Love of Running First

“We might enjoy running for different reasons, and there might be something interesting about that as a starting point,” said Jackie Greco, a licensed mental health counselor at Sun Counseling and Wellness in Charlotte.

Greco explained how a group setting, like a run club, generally has some rules of engagement that provide a level of safety and comfort in being able to move in and out of conversations with smaller groups or individuals. That can make it easy for folks to strike up conversations, stick around if they’re clicking, or move along if they’re not.

“Through them, we might find something else that we share a connection on,” she added, “and we wouldn’t have even been talking if we weren’t meeting at this mutual space to run.”

Which is precisely how Lindsey McGee and Tom Holland connected. McGee and Holland met at a run club event – his first-ever run club, actually. He’d been living in Huntersville and had just moved to Charlotte. Their 10 to 15-minute casual conversation eventually grew into something more.

“She was literally the first person I met in the Charlotte running community,” said Holland, who’d been running most of his miles by himself. “She welcomed me when I walked onto the parking lot!”

They would then start meeting up at other running clubs and registering for the same races. That led to smaller, group outings with friends, and eventually a dinner date.

“We were just running together as friends, but after a few months, we realized we had a deeper connection,” McGee told us. But instinctively, she knew there might be more to it. “I just had this weird feeling that he is going to like have an impact in my world in some form or fashion, even if he’s like an amazing run friend.”

“It was really completely organic – I literally didn’t know a soul,” Holland added. “As a single guy, I’d wanted to find some community after my son moved away from college. A few months go by, we find out we have an awful lot of things in common, and then here we are!”

But it’s not always that simple

Billy Shue, who once dated someone he met through a run club, understands both the potential rewards and risks. “When things didn’t work out, we had to give each other some space,” Shue recalled. Over time, he said, they found a way to continue running together without things being weird or uncomfortable. But, the experience didn’t change Shue’s positive outlook.

“You can’t force these things when it comes to a romantic relationship,” Shue said, “but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep your eyes open to the possibilities, and if something happens and it doesn’t work out, hopefully we can still be friends.”

Lauren Tamberino also experienced a few romantic connections through run clubs, though none developed into long-term relationships. Her experience was similar to Shue’s; needing a little space after a relationship ended within the club. “I avoided run club for a bit, just to let things cool off,” she noted. While things eventually returned to normal, her experience is a reminder of the risks of dating within close-knit social groups. Run clubs included.

However, as a Gen X-aged runner, Tamberino acknowledged younger runners might feel differently about finding a partner at run club. “I see younger runners, and there’s so much pressure to find someone and settle down. It’s unfortunate, but I feel it’s definitely society-driven,” she said. For her, run clubs still offer both social fulfillment and fitness partners, even if they don’t net a romantic outcome.

“It’s easy to meet people in run clubs because you’re spending time together on long runs. I’ve made great friendships, and while some romantic interests didn’t work out, I’ve created long-lasting bonds,” she explained.

If you’re still looking

For those who navigate these challenges successfully, like McGee and Holland, it’s encouraging for others who are still looking. Their friendship-first approach allowed them to build a foundation for their relationship before it ever became romantic.

And if a relationship doesn’t last long term, that doesn’t mean it was a waste of time. Tamberino, Shue, and others are proof of that the sense of community and camaraderie is the real reward.

“I’ve found my community in these run clubs—great friendships, lots of love, and support. Everything I need in a partner is wrapped up in the people I run with,” Tamberino shared. For her, the relationships she’s formed within the clubs, whether romantic or not, have enriched her life.

“Run clubs can be great for meeting people, but it’s important to manage your expectations,” Greco reminded runners who may be considering looking for romance within run clubs. “Be patient. Rushing into romance can backfire, leading to hurt feelings and awkwardness.”

It’s also important to respect others’ boundaries and read the room, or the run, as the case may be. Not everyone is looking for something “more” from run club.

As Greene put it, “I don’t want to be hit on, I don’t want to be pursued, I just want to run.”