From a Boston-qualifying marathon through the city’s center to a Labor Day weekend 10K that shuts down a freeway, learn more about destination races in Charlotte.

(Feature image courtesy of Around the Crown 10K)

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Prime race season in Charlotte extends from September through May, giving runners plenty of race options to train for throughout the year. These include a handful of uniquely special races that you’ll want to add to your calendar early.

Labor Day weekend’s Around the Crown 10K (ATC10K) shuts down a busy freeway, giving runners noteworthy views of the city that no other race course can match. Race directors of ATC10K weave community initiatives into the event, including local artist-designed race swag and partnerships with nonprofits.

Later in the fall, you’ll find a Boston-qualifying full marathon course that takes runners on a sightseeing tour of the city. The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon also has a half marathon distance, a rucking division, and team relay options for the half or full.

Then in the spring, test your speed at the Meck Mile — a 1-mile course that circles a football stadium before entering and finishing on the field.

Explore details of these and other destination races in Charlotte, listed by calendar date.

• Charlotte Running Co. Trail Race
• Charlotte 10 Miler and 4 Mile Run
• Charlotte Racefest Half Marathon, 10K & 10K Relay
• Meck Mile
• Around the Crown 10K
• Novant Health Charlotte Marathon

Looking for more information on running in Charlotte?
Check out the Charlotte City Guide.

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Charlotte Running Co. Trail Race

January | Fort Mill, South Carolina | 13 Mile, 9 Mile, 4 Mile
Organized by Charlotte Running Company, this race navigates trails within the Anne Springs Close Greenway — among the top places to run near Charlotte. Technically located in South Carolina, it’s just over the state border and less than a 30-minute drive. While January can be chilly, it also offers ideal race weather. Put on your race hoodie to warm up afterward. Then grab a beer and head over to the bonfire to celebrate your finish with fellow runners.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 52 degrees; low of 38 degrees; average of 42 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: Approximately 1,200 feet in elevation change
• Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 3.5 hours
• Race Swag: Choose between a hoodie and a cropped hoodie
• Distance from Airport: 25-minute drive from Charlotte Douglas International Airport

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Charlotte 10 Miler and 4 Mile Run

February | Charlotte | 10 Mile, 4 Mile, Double or Nothing
Explore Charlotte’s Lower McMullen Creek and McAlpine Creek greenways. If you’re looking for a challenge, consider signing up for the “Double or Nothing” to run both the 10-miler and 4-miler. Another option is to sign up with a buddy to participate in the relay. Organized by Charlotte Running Company, this annual race ends with a hot breakfast. Opt for the paid upgrade to pair it with drinks from the mimosa bar.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 57 degrees; low of 35 degrees; average of 46 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: Approximately 400 feet in elevation change
• Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 2 hours, 45 minutes
• Race Swag: Choose between a quarter-zip and a T-shirt hoodie; breakfast
• Distance from Airport: 25-minute drive from Charlotte Douglas International Airport

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Charlotte Racefest Half Marathon, 10K & 10K Relay

April | Charlotte | Half Marathon, 10K, 10K Relay
This annual race starts at SouthPark Mall, just south of downtown Charlotte. Reach your goal time with the help of pacers in both the half marathon and 10K. The race environment is welcoming and encouraging no matter your running experience. Join the post-race celebration in Symphony Park where you’ll find food, craft beer, and live music. The race swag is already great, but if you’re looking for additional gear, you can purchase a half-zip with the “We Run This Town Charlotte RaceFest” logo.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 73 degrees; low of 49 degrees; average of 61 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: 565-foot elevation gain (half marathon); 220-foot elevation gain (10K)
• Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 3 hours
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal, food, two craft beers for runners 21+
• Distance from Airport: 20-minute drive from Charlotte Douglas International Airport

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Meck Mile

May | Charlotte | 1 Mile
Rooted in history, the Meck Mile is named in honor of Captain James Jack. According to the Charlotte Sports Foundation website, Captain Jack was a tavern owner who traveled from Charlotte to Philadelphia to deliver documents to the Continental Congress that helped secure the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence in 1775.

This 1-mile race laps Memorial Stadium twice before entering the football stadium and crossing the finish line on the field. Start in the wave that matches your expected finish time or level — kids, recreational, competitive (sub-12 minutes), and elite and professional (standards are announced on the event website). Kids 13 and under run for free. After the race, stick around for the party featuring live music, food from concession stands, a beer garden, and a kids zone.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 80 degrees; low of 58 degrees; average of 69 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: 26-foot elevation gain
• Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 45 minutes
• Race Swag: Race shirt
• Prize Money: Cash purse for elite and professional runners
• Distance from Airport: 20-minute drive from Charlotte Douglas International Airport

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Around the Crown 10K

September | Charlotte | 10k
What started as a vision to close down one of Charlotte’s busiest freeways to run a race turned into a reality for the race directors of Around the Crown 10K (ATC10K). This Labor Day weekend event offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the city, including unique views of Charlotte along the course, an engaging expo at Camp North End, a shakeout run with Charlotte’s Mad Miles Run Club the day before the race, and much more.

You’ll find reusable cups at this race, plus sustainably recycled race shirts. ATC10K works with a new artist each year to design the race swag through the Adé’s Artist Series program. Funds from participants who opt out of receiving a medal go toward a local foundation. Combined with other donations from the race, around $25,000 is put back into the community each year through local nonprofit beneficiaries.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 83 degrees; low of 63 degrees; average of 73 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: 114-foot elevation gain
• Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: Runners must keep a pace of 13:45 per mile or faster
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal, a beer for 21+
• Prize Money: Cash awards for the top five female, male, and nonbinary finishers; top three female, male, and nonbinary wheelchair finishers; top three female, male, and nonbinary stroller finishers; and top three female, male, and nonbinary Charlotte-resident finishers. Cash awards also go to the first-place female, male, nonbinary, and Charlotte-resident finishers in the half-mile Queen’s Climb section of the course.
• Distance from Airport: 15-minute drive from Charlotte Douglas International Airport

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Novant Health Charlotte Marathon

November | Charlotte | Marathon, Half Marathon, Relays, 5K
Join nearly 10,000 fellow runners for a fall race day that starts and ends in downtown Charlotte. The Boston-qualifying full marathon course takes runners on a sightseeing tour of the city. Run through downtown, along tree-lined streets, and around a collection of neighborhoods. Expect some parties in the street and plenty of community support along the half and full marathon race courses. Additional race options include a half marathon rucking division, a three-person relay for the half marathon, and a five-person relay for the full marathon.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 63 degrees; low of 40 degrees; average of 51 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: Not listed
• Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 6 hours (full marathon); 3 hours (half marathon)
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal
• Distance from Airport: 15-minute drive from Charlotte Douglas International Airport

*Average Race Month Weather is based on the National Weather Service’s historical data.

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PLAN YOUR TRIP TO CHARLOTTE

Your Guide to Running in Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte Running Co. Manager on Inclusive Running Community Initiatives and Tips for Running in Charlotte

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