We’re excited to partner with one of the top local breweries in Charlotte, NoDa Brewing Company, this year as our official beer partner! So much so that we wanted to sit down with NoDa Brewing Company owner/president, Suzie Ford, who explains just why they wanted to partner local beer with the local marathon.
NoDa Brewing Company was the first Charlotte brewery to connect with runners. Was this purposeful?
I thought the idea of a brewery run club was crazy and a handful of runners might show up. I had no idea it would morph into hundreds of runners joining us each Wednesday, along with a 5k race and 26.BREW, our marathon training program. It’s been amazing to see the group and programs grow.
We try to listen to what our runners want, this fall we are even launching yoga for runners in collaboration with OrthoCarolina.
What does it mean to partner with the Charlotte Marathon as the official beer partner?
As the marathon grows and takes on an even bigger presence in Charlotte, it feels good that the team at Run for Your Life is being purposeful with their partnerships. It wasn’t the easy choice to choose local. We are ingrained in the running community here and we are grateful for an opportunity to recognize our runners who have committed to the marathon.
Tell us about the beer?
We are doing a very limited edition can release specifically for the Charlotte Marathon, if you don’t run the race, you won’t get the beer. We’ve chosen to use CAVU, it’s a refreshing blonde ale with lower alcohol content level, great for after a run. The marathon ambassadors will be helping us with the production and run of the beer, and will touch every can that is served to runners. Our goal is for the beer to be personal and community focused, just like the marathon.
Any chance we will see you at the start of the Charlotte Marathon?
That’s funny. But in all honesty, I’m working towards a 5K, let me look at my calendar and think about it. If we can get a campaign going around Run Suzie Run maybe you’ll see me at the start line. The beer alone will be worth it.
Be sure to stop by their tap room at 2921 N. Tryon St. when you’re in town to thank them for that refreshing “recovery” drink at the finish line. If you’re living in the Charlotte area, swing by to see one of our 2017 Ambassadors, Carla, lead their run club on a 1, 3, or 5 mile route. Cheers!