Novant Health Charlotte Marathon

RunCharlotte

running festival

A local race deserves local shirts!

As a local race to Charlotte, one of the largest opportunities that the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon values is the availability to work with other local companies. As our race shirt provider, Recover Brands is not only a locally owned company, but their product also uses 100% recycled materials. Recover’s mission is to provide quality products while using environmentally friendly methods of production.
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When we rebranded from Thunder Road to the Charlotte Marathon in 2016, we knew we wanted to continue our push to become the hometown race as much as possible. Recover Brands helped us do that the first year and they will continue for years to come with their gender specific moisture-wicking sports tees. Each shirt is made from eight plastic bottles as they are helping us work towards a more sustainable tomorrow. There was not a question that we would partner with them again for the 2018 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. Be on the lookout for them at the expo before the race as well as other events prior to race weekend!
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Learn more about Recover and how they are making Charlotte a better city!
 

 

Full Marathon Relay FAQ’s

Our Full Marathon Relay has grown so much this year and we want to make sure that you have as much information as possible on race day. We’ve been taking questions for the last few months and wrote some down at our recent Relay FAQ night at Run For Your Life. Below is an overview of our fun that night which should help with any logistical questions you’ve had!

WHAT DID YOU SIGN UP FOR?

  • Health & Wellness Expo: Friday
    • 10:00AM – 9:00PM
    • 75+ Vendors
    • One team member can pick up for entire team, but we suggest all go
  • Race Day: Saturday
    • Start time – 7:30PM
    • Awards – 12:00PM
  • Post Race Party: Saturday & Sunday
    • Presented by Brooks Running
    • Saturday – 11:00AM – 6:00PM
    • Sunday – 12:00PM – 5:00PM
    • Limited edition race day prints available from RunInk

WHAT DO YOU GET?

  • Timing wrist band for each team member
  • Shirt for each team member
  • Finisher medal for each team member (given out at each exchange point)
  • An individual time per leg (timing mats at each exchange point)

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

Relay Exchange Points

HOW DO YOU GET THERE?

WHAT CAN YOU WIN? 

  • Awards are given to:
    • Top 3 All Male Relay
    • Top 3 All Female Relay
    • Top 3 Mixed Relay
  • Each award winning team member will receive an award medal
  • Awards will be given out at 12:00pm on the main stage

INSIDER TIPS:

Transportation Tips:

  • Use a chase car
  • Find a designated driver
  • Print out course map
  • Print out runner relay leg and contact info
  • Stock the car with snacks, water, warm layers, and recovery tools
  • Drive the team back to the finish line
  • Decorate the car!

Running Tips:

  • Decide who is doing what leg
  • Train around Charlotte to prepare for the rolling hills
  • Look over the course
  • Layer up while waiting at the exchange point
  • Cheer on the other runners from the other races
  • Have fun a dress up as a team!

Half Marathon Rucking Division

In honor of Veteran’s Day (the day of our race on 11/11) and all who have served our nation in the armed services, the Charlotte Marathon is proud to offer a first for a big-city marathon — a half-marathon ruck marching division. This division of the race is presented by F3 Nation and The Iron Project.

What is Rucking? It’s simply carrying a weighted pack on your back. Rucking is the foundation of military training, from infantry grunts to special operations. Dave Redding, co-founder of F3 and former Green Beret said,

“Rucking is movement with a purpose. For some reason, and it’s hard to describe to someone whose never tried it, strapping a rucksack on your back turns a walk into something completely different. When I was in Special Forces I rucked my share of miles, and had the blisters to prove it. When I left the Army I thought I’d never strap a rucksack on my back again, but it wasn’t long before I missed it. I found that I needed the shared experience of hauling that rucksack around to feel purposeful. I found that even though I didn’t have to ruck anymore, I wanted to do it. It’s an elemental movement of life.”

Rucking is a great way to simultaneously build strength and endurance, all while enjoying the fellowship of other ruckers. Jason McCarthy, founder and CEO of GORUCK, explains more in this short clip:

 

Ruck Division participants will have their rucks weighed at the start line and certified as meeting the 20-pound standard for people under 150 pounds, 30 pounds for those over 150 pounds. They will start in a group 10 minutes in front of the half-marathon runners and will follow the same course; flags and other coupons are encouraged!

Ruck Pacers will lead a group at the infantry-standard 15:00/mile pace for the 13.1 miles of the course. Ruck Division registrants will receive a unique T-shirt and finisher medal . A portion of registration proceeds will be donated to Special Ops Survivors. For recommended training and how to connect with local groups who will help you get ready to ruck, check out these websites:

 

REGISTER NOW!

Our Streets. Our City. Our Beer.

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. 

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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.

Can Poster NoDa

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.

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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!

Think the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon isn’t for you? Make it yours in 2017.

There’s a common misconception that just because the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon includes our city’s only marathon, the experience is reserved for serious, long-distance runners. But that’s not true! (Yep, we’re talking to YOU if you just thought to yourself, “but I’m not a runner…”)

This year, we want to spread the word that the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon isn’t just an elite race, but a Running Festival with races and activities for all ages and abilities.

It’s about so much more than just running! This event brings us together and inspires us to do something that maybe we weren’t sure we could do – whether it’s running a 5K for the first time, committing to training for a half-marathon with a friend, keeping up with our kids, or proving to ourselves that we are runners. If you take a closer look, we think you’ll discover that there is something for EVERYONE (even you “non-runners”) at the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Running Festival. Need more convincing?

Here’s what you’ll experience before, during and after race day:

THE GROUP EVENTS & TRAINING

In the spring, we select a handful of diverse runners from around the area to serve as our Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Running Festival ambassadors. We all need that someone who says, “Let’s do it!” instead of “You’re crazy!” to push us to be the best, healthiest versions of ourselves. Our ambassadors bring out this type of community by connecting runners to train together and support each other.

You might think that our ambassadors are super fit, local running celebrities – and there are a couple of those – but most of them are just people who love to be active, even if they don’t run as fast (or as often) as they’d like to. Let’s face it, we could all use a little help getting started and staying motivated, so the added accountability of training together is awesome (and you’ll make a few new friends in the process).

THE COURSE PREVIEW RUNS

If you’re ready to take on the longer distances, we offer two chances in October to run the course, see what it’s like and meet other runners from the area. One weekend we preview the first 13.1 miles and then the following weekend we run the second 13.1 miles. By race day, you’ll feel more confident knowing the course and some fellow runners.

THE EXPO

The weekend begins on Friday, November 10 (the day before race day) with the Health & Wellness Expo, which is free and open to anyone. It’s 40,000 square feet of runners, vendors, volunteers and supporters that share one common purpose: to get you ready for your race. Grab your race packet, check out the latest running shoes and gear, catch up with your friends and capture some memories at the start of your race weekend.

THE RACES

We offer FIVE different races, including the marathon (26.2 miles), the half marathon (13.1 miles), the five-person marathon relay, the 5K (3.1 miles), a Kid’s Marathon Program and 1-mile run. So there really is a race distance that’s achievable for everyone.

We often see families, co-workers, exercise buddies, and groups of friends come out together to run the relay or just enjoy the experience together, even if they’re each running different races.

Whichever race you choose, you’ll be treated to a true marathon experience – our on-course entertainment, volunteers and supporters are top-notch! The best part? All finishers, of all races, get a finisher’s medal to commemorate the achievement.

 THE POST-RACE FESTIVAL

Whether you run the 5K or the marathon, everyone crosses the same finish line and celebrates together at the citywide festival in Romare Bearden Park, with exhibitors, food, beverages and live music on the main stage. Beer tastes amazing after a race!

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 THE AFTER-PARTY

The next day, the celebration continues at the Run for Your Life store. Join us to revel in your accomplishments with refreshments, massages, medal engraving and more!

There’s something special about living in a city where we celebrate one another, cheer loudly and find any excuse to gather together for a good time. That’s what’s so special about the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Running Festival – it’s a citywide celebration.

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Ready to make the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Running Festival yours? Pick your distance and sign up today!