Mile Marker: 250 Episodes of The Running Around Charlotte Podcast
The summer of 2019 seems like forever ago, but that’s when we released the very first episode of The Running Around Charlotte Podcast, presented by Novant Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Our first guest was our longtime pal, Lisa Landrum from Forward Motion and Run Charlotte Run.
A whole 250 episodes later, we’re still friends with Lisa. 😉 And we’ve talked with and made lots of new friends, and heard all kinds of stories about running. After all those shows and all those conversations, we thought we’d take a second to reflect on what’s made the program pretty special.
Local Running AND Runners
fostering a sense of community, making connections, or creating something special here in Charlotte. We certainly couldn’t point to every episode that made us realize what an incredible place this is to run. But conversations with folks like Lisa Landrum, Around the Crown 10k founder, Brian Mister; Mad Miles’ Cornell Jones, and Girls on the Run founder, Molly Barker will give you a pretty good idea of how lucky we are to be running around Charlotte.
The show really is about running around Charlotte, and the runners who make up the local running scene. Over 250 episodes, we’ve certainly not met every runner who’s
Inspiring Stores and Overcoming Obstacles
Many episodes feature stories of runners overcoming challenges. We’ve had the chance to talk with guests like Derek Lindstrom, who ran 114 marathons with his original heart, received a heart transplant, and now dreams of running another marathon. And our man Tom Perri, who’s paced thousands of runners at marathons around the world – and keeps on running despite a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. (He’ll be BACK in CLT for the 20th anniversary of the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon on November 16) And there’s Brad Pope and his weight loss journey, and Special Olympian, Phillip Blount – who went on to medal at the World Games, by the way!
Diversity and Inclusion
Running has never been more diverse. Yes, there’s plenty of work to be done so everyone can feel at home. Over the 250 episodes, we’ve had the opportunity to showcase and celebrate the efforts and the individuals doing what they do to make running everyone’s community. Listen in on episodes with another longtime friend and ambassadors Darius Moore, who discusses the growing diversity in running, especially among younger age groups. Cornell Jones shared the backstory of how his personal running steak led to what is now the Mad Miles movement. Verna Volker is an amazing person we met at Running USA. She told us about welcoming Native women into running. Running should be easy for everyone. We’re humbled and thrilled to meet folks who are busting the doors wide open to help make it so.
Health and Wellness
With our hookup with Novant Health, we have easy access to some of the best health and wellness folks in the area. The podcast often touches on health-related topics that can make race day, recovery days, and every day better for runners. Check out episodes from Dr. Erin Trackas, a Novant Health NICU physician and runner; Registered Dietician and Performance Specialist, Ashley Muschiatti; and Dr. Keith Anderson, our marathon medical director, and Family and Sports Medicine Specialist at Novant Health.
Giving Back
Everyone has their own reasons for running, and we talk a lot about folks making their miles more meaningful. No one crystalizes that concept like Betsy Zarzour, who’s been the organizer, head cheerleader, and motivator behind Team Hemby since its inception. Throughout the show, we’ve had the opportunity to highlight runners and their part in helping the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon contribute more than a half a million dollars to the Novant Health Hemby Children’s hospital. Also check out this episode with Philanthropy Director Amy McKinney, from the Novant Health Hemby Foundation.
Loads of Talent Beyond Running
Runners aren’t always all about running. In fact, plenty of our guests are talents in their own right – and pretty darned good runners, too. We’ve had the opportunity to talk with runners and creators like musicians Hannah and Jamie Rowen – but you probably know them as the alt music duo, Relay Relay. Chris Lees, conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra was a hilarious guest! McColl Center Programs Coordinator, artist/designer Bethany Salisbury, and “Born to Run” author Christopher McDougall prove there’s plenty of talent out there!
Thanks to the runners and friends who’ve taken time to join us on the program over the 250 episodes. Thanks to our sponsors and partners who’ve stayed with us or signed on as we’ve grown. Most especially, thank you for listening! And if you’re not already, why not go on and subscribe to The Running Around Charlotte Podcast, presented by Novant Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine right now? A brand new episode drops every Friday.
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