RunCharlotte and the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon encourage you to SHOP LOCAL! It’s even more important right now. We know there’s a lot going on that’s changing the way we work, play, and run… But we can help by continuing to support the local businesses we love. We can’t encourage you enough to support our nearby friends, families, and runners by shopping close to home for your needs.

We’re All in This Together! Check out some of the ways our friends are adjusting to the new normal, to better support all of us.

Latest Update: Mecklenburg County is currently under a “stay-at-home” order. We urge you to make informed decisions as you leave the house for “essential activities”. Your continued support of our friends below is very much appreciated in these uncertain times.

Running Stores

Run For Your Life

• Free shipping in the Carolinas and curbside pickup is available
• Call your local RFYL location to place your order and they’ll take care of you
  • Midtown: 704-385-0713
  • Piper Glen: 980-495-5404
  • University: 704-503-1105
• In store services are not currently available, check website for updates

Recover Brands

• Now more than ever, our small business community needs YOU.  Through the #SupportLocal fundraiser, $10 for every shirt sold goes directly to small businesses in the Charlotte community
• Show your support and visit recoverbrands.com/supportlocal to pick up a shirt

 

 

Charlotte Running Company

• All orders will ship out free of charge for the foreseeable future or are available for curbside pick-up!
• Call any of their stores or visit them online at www.charlotterunning.com to place your order
  • Dilworth 704-377-8786
  • Promenade 704-708-5220
  • Lake Norman 704-799-1400
  • Northlake 704-910-1335
  • Riverwalk 803-327-8300

Ultra Running Company

• They’ll deliver items directly to your door (same day!!) and shipping is free!
• Visit them online at www.ultrarunningcompany.com
• They’re happy to help you avoid group settings by bringing anything you need directly to your car with curbside pick up

Omega Sports

• Shop online with them at OmegaSports.com
• They have dropped their shipping charges. Any orders over $49.99 are shipped FREE. 

 
 

 

Fleet Feet Huntersville

• All training programs and group runs are postponed through the end of March
• Free shipping and curbside pick up are current options, call (704) 896-2202 or visit Fleetfeet.com to shop

Restaurants / Breweries

NoDa Brewing

• NoDa Brewing “Drive Thru”: N. Tryon parking lot from 12pm to 7:30pm everyday until further notice. 
• Come get your four packs, crowlers, gift cards and merch to-go from the comfort of your own vehicle!
  • Credit Card transactions only
• Taproom and events closed to public
• Check in for updates at https://nodabrewing.com/current-taproom-updates/

Brixx Wood Fired Pizza

• Locations in the Charlotte Area will remain open for takeout, curbside, or delivery
  • Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm
  • Fri-Sat 11am-10pm
• Half-priced wine by the bottle for takeout/curbside orders
• FREE PIZZA card with gift card purchases of $50 or more purchased online or at location

Great Harvest Bread Co.

• 6420 Rea Road, 901 S. Kings Drive, and 1824 East Arbors locations WILL REMAIN OPEN and continue to baking bread and other goods
• Please call ahead to check availability of specific items
• All items will be delivered curbside
• Visit website for more detail: http://greatharvestcharlotte.com/
• Locations in Cornelius and Matthews are currently closed

 

Whether you need a little inspiration or something to do on a rest day you’ve come to the right place. You know the feeling when you see someone else running and you have to rush home to put some miles in? These movies will make you feel the same way.

We’ve compiled a list of movies to ignite your running spirit. Just think about it as visualization training!

• Forrest Gump: Don’t even argue with us about this first entry. Every time we watch this one, we’re reminded that running can be our escape, our “happy place,” a door opener, a bridge builder, our space for self discovery, and so much more. After 20 years, that message still hits home.

• Brittany Runs a Marathon: This one makes our number 2 spot thanks to its approachable and relatable characters, its celebration of running community, and the camaraderie that comes with the shared experience of the marathon. Sure the title gives away the ending, but it’s Brittany’s personal journey to the start (and finish) that make this worth a watch.

• The Barkley Marathons: Never heard of the Barkleys? Not many outside the fringe ultra community had, until a few years back when this documentary landed. If you’ve ever considered what it might be like to start a race you’d likely never finish, this one’s for you. Stay clear if FOMO is your albatross.

• Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner: As a young person and young runner, we were taken by Stilitoe’s rather dark short story which inspired the film. As the British say, this “brilliant” piece of work that explores the “us versus them” theme of youth and authority, and the simple freedom of running.

• Running the Sahara: This 2007 documentary features the chronicles of Ray Zahab, Kevin Lin, and North Carolinian Charlie Engle as they attempt to run across the entire Sahara Desert to reach the Red Sea. We had the chance to talk to these fellas after their trip. Epic, to say the least.

• The Jericho Mile: There are lots of movies about a prisoner’s self discovery behind bars. In this one, Larry “Rain” Murphy becomes an unlikely Olympic contender when he discovers running as a virtual escape from his incarceration at Folsom Prison. A hardcore underdog story.

• Cool Runnings: OK, so not really a “running” movie, but it’s the last John Candy film— and we’re a fan. Yes, the John Candy classic about the Jamaican bobsled team. Campy as heck, but worth seeing Candy lead these Olympic underdogs to their destiny with nuggets like this; “A gold medal is a wonderful thing, but if you’re not enough without it, you’ll never be enough with it.” Gold, for sure. 

• Unbroken: “If you can take it, you can make it!” This movie follows the true story of Italian American Olympian, Louis Zamperini during WWII. From high schooler, to Olympic qualifier, to bomber in the military, to POW this movie shows the strength and determination of Louis and runners in general. It’ll make you proud to be a part of the sport!

 

Let us know some of your favorites in the comments below so we can add them to the list!

 

So, you want to join a Strava Challenge…

It’s easy! Here’s what you need to do!

 

 

 

Charlotte, NC — A hometown winner, a sold-out race, and rain clearing just in time to reveal great running weather. If you’re Tim Rhodes, you’re feeling pretty satisfied.

Of course if you’re Tim Rhodes, that doesn’t mean you can kick back and relax. There’s still a lot to do before New Year’s, and there’s always next year to think about. But check off the 2019 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon as a success, with even better things to come.

“We work really hard to put on an exciting, memorable event people can take with them and have great memories of,” says Rhodes, who for 15 years, has led the local marathon that launched in 2005 as Thunder Road and each November, takes Charlotte by storm. (A previous marathon carried a different name under different leadership before Rhodes launched Thunder Road.)

Will Volkmann of Charlotte took home the top men’s prize at 2:30.59. Amanda Morris of Pineville won the women’s race, breaking just under 3 hours with 2:59.19.

“Our goal isn’t to be the biggest, because that’s not a realistic goal,” says Rhodes, citing New York and Boston as examples. “But we can be the best — we can be more runner-friendly in sign up, and more convenient to them.” This year, the event’s popularity was proof of that.

The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon was bigger than expected — the 26.2-mile race reached capacity at 1,200 several days before race day, bumping late-comers to a waiting list. (“We didn’t order enough medals,” admits Rhodes. “We won’t make that mistake again!”) Gratefully, enough runners deferred until next year that everyone on the waiting list got to run the full route.

In total numbers, about 3,000 runners took to the half-marathon distance, 1,200 ran the 5k, and about 200 teams signed up to share the day and run a relay — the largest growth in sign-ups of any distance. In all, just shy of 6,000 people from 40 states and 8 other countries took home their finishers’ medals and swag on November 16th. That’s 15% more participants than last year — one person for every medal ordered. Exactly.

“I think it says a lot about the Charlotte community, and as a city, and the accessibility — how people get here, what there is to do here,” says Rhodes. “It tells us there is a lot going on in Charlotte and people are willing to visit.”

Rhodes is grateful for the thousand-plus volunteers, along with sponsors, runners, and spectators who make the race fun and rewarding for everyone. He’s even more grateful the race raised $37,732 for Hemby Children’s Hospital, the beneficiary of the day’s proceeds.

“It speaks to the team we have and dedication to putting on a world-class event,” he says.

So is Rhodes satisfied about THAT? Maybe. He’s already planning ahead to 2020.

Expect a slight change in the course, to capitalize on efficiencies that will be less taxing on law enforcement and other logistical services along the route. And those hills?

“It would be nice to have fewer hills,” laughs Rhodes, “but we’ll see.” He acknowledges that out-of-towners don’t quite expect hilly terrain, with the worst incline coming between mile 25 and 26 (Oh, the humanity!) But he really doesn’t want to change much, because everyone is kind of used to the way it is.

“Can I make it a better experience for runners, capitalize on the best neighborhoods with most crowd support, and add more entertainment?” asked Rhodes. Those are his primary focus areas for the new course, which he plans to keep for the next 5 – 10 years.

With that adjustment, he’ll be happy if he can make the race bigger, making it better, and keeping the same positive vibe throughout.

And of course, he plans to order more medals.

 

Want to get in early? Sign up here: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Charlotte/CharlotteMarathon