Fly Ty Runs With More Than 6,000 Runners In Uptown Charlotte Saturday Morning For The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon
Get ready for a bunch of closed roads around Charlotte on Saturday morning over 6000 runners will participate in the Charlotte marathon this weekend, and I am one of them!…
Get ready for a bunch of closed roads around Charlotte on Saturday morning over 6000 runners will participate in the Charlotte marathon this weekend, and I am one of them!
Race organizers say more than 6,000 runners will be in uptown Charlotte Saturday morning for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. The event features five different races: the marathon, half-marathon, marathon relay, 5K, and kid's one-mile run.
The activities will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Romare Bearden Park, which will serve as the start and finish line for the race.
"We are really excited that Charlotte is growing as a city, but also as an active community," said Brian Mister, the Marketing Director for the marathon. "We have 42 states and nine countries represented here. It is amazing. Those folks are flying in, check out the airport, they are checking out restaurants, our breweries, coffee shops."
The course will take runners all throughout the city from uptown to Southend, Dilworth, Plaza Midwood, and NoDa. Throughout the morning there will be road closures along the route. "It is rolling, so every street is not blocked for six hours," said Tim Rhodes, the race director. "There is something for everyone."
"Every year it is amazing how much money gets re-invested into the community through hotels and restaurant spends," said Rhodes. With recent attacks and the size of the event, security is on the minds of many. "You are never comfortable. I think if you are comfortable you make a mistake," said Rhodes. "We have talked about security. How we keep vehicles from entering certain areas. They have their dogs that sniff the area to make sure nothing has been planted."
"So, tomorrow I am running the half marathon and I am pregnant. I will also be pushing my 18-month-old in a stroller," said Emily Watson. "Try not to live in fear. You just enjoy each day. I think it is under control."
One of the things runners will have to combat is the weather. Temperatures will dip into the low 30s Saturday morning. "It's going to be cold as 'beep'," said runner Ornela Vazquez jokingly. Other runners said the low temperatures will make the event challenging because people in the Charlotte area haven't been able to train in similar weather.
"It's difficult when it's the first cold weekend because we haven't trained in any cold-weather clothes," said runner Darryl Strack.
