Carb up: Here’s your food guide for this weekend’s Around the Crown 10K in Charlotte.
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Charlotte restaurants offer pre- and post-race meals tailored for runners.
- Nutritionists recommend carb-heavy meals 24 hours prior, then starchy carbs and lean protein.
- Local recovery services suggest light movement, hydration and muscle care after the race.
If you’re lacing up for Charlotte’s Around the Crown 10K on Aug. 31 — or prepping for another long run — what you eat before the race can make all the difference. 👟
Whether you’re looking for a pasta-packed dinner, a bagel to grab on your way to the start line, or a hearty brunch to celebrate after, Charlotte has plenty of restaurants ready to fuel your run.
What to eat before a 10K
And while a 10K is not a distance that requires days of carb-loading, according to Charlotte-based running and nutrition coach James Gulley of Evolve MVMT, he suggests enjoying a larger, carb-heavy dish about 24 hours out to top off energy stores. Then, he says, keep dinner the night before simple with starchy carbs and lean protein.
On race morning, he tells clients to focus on quick-digesting carbs like bagels, oatmeal or bananas to provide fuel without weighing you down.
“Runners should be looking to eat 90-120 minutes before the race,” Gulley said. “Allow yourself time to digest your food. Then, post-race, eat what your heart desires and celebrate your accomplishment!”
Charlotte restaurants to visit before running a race
Onto the fun stuff! We’ve rounded up 11 Charlotte spots serving up pre- and post-race favorites to keep you fueled from start to finish. And hey, if you plan to stand on the sidelines and cheer someone on, these options are still great for you, too. 🍝
Angeline’s
Location: 303 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC, 28202
Inside Uptown’s Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, Angeline’s serves modern Italian favorites. It’s running a special for race weekend: For a pre-race dinner, the house-made pasta dishes — think rigatoni with tomato-braised pork or a simple spaghetti pomodoro — offer a solid carb-and-protein combo. Post-race, reward yourself with the restaurant’s wood-fired pizzas or a seasonal dessert to celebrate your miles.
Aria
Location: 100 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Aria, beneath the Bank of America Corporate Center, is an uptown classic. Known for pasta made in-house daily, it’s a natural fit for your pre-race fueling plan. The tagliatelle with bolognese is hearty yet balanced, while the spaghetti pomodoro is lighter but still carb-focused. After the finish line, its wood-oven pizzas or decadent tiramisu will hit the spot.
Basil Thai
Location: 210 N Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202
For over two decades, Basil Thai has been serving uptown with flavorful curries, noodle dishes and stir-fries. Runners looking for a pre-race dinner can lean on classics like pad see ew, which combines rice noodles, veggies and a protein of choice. Order it “mild” with chicken or tofu and only a little broccoli to keep the fiber low. Or, opt for a simple order of rice with a light protein. Afterward, the green curry or drunken noodles are a more indulgent way to celebrate. Flavorful but approachable, it’s a solid choice for carb-loading with variety.
Flower Child
Location: 1537 Camden Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 15210 Bowl St #101, Charlotte, NC 28277
With locations in South End and Ballantyne, Flower Child serves up a fresh, health-driven menu of bowls, salads and wraps. For runners, it’s a great choice both before and after a race thanks to its balance of whole grains, veggies and lean proteins. The Mother Earth bowl — packed with ancient grains, sweet potatoes, and portobello mushrooms — is ideal for steady energy. The Glow Bowl with sweet potato noodles and protein of choice is delicious and well-balanced, too.
Geno D’s Pizza
Location: 224 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Located inside 7th Street Public Market, Geno D’s brings a slice of Atlantic City to Charlotte with authentic, boardwalk-style pizza. If you’re seeking carbs, this is an easy, satisfying option the night before race day. A classic cheese or margherita slice is simple, familiar fuel that won’t weigh you down.
Mama Ricotta’s
Location: 601 S Kings Dr AA, Charlotte, NC 28204
A Charlotte institution since 1992, Mama Ricotta’s is beloved for its big flavors and bigger portions. This is a carb-lover’s paradise, with baked ziti, spaghetti with meatballs and legendary lasagna. If you’re celebrating afterward, its wood-fired pizzas and famous house-made cheesecake are must-tries.
Poppy’s Bagels
Location: 2201 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
No pre-race guide would be complete without bagels, and Poppy’s delivers my personal favorite in the city. For an easy morning-of breakfast, grab a cinnamon raisin bagel with peanut butter and banana. (This order is actually exactly what Gulley of Evolve says he will often eat as a pre-race meal.) If you’re running later or stopping by post-race, a bagel sandwich stacked with egg and turkey sausage makes for a protein-packed recovery meal.
Rhino Market
Location: Multiple
A neighborhood favorite with multiple locations, Rhino Market is equal parts deli, coffee shop, and community hangout. Runners can fuel up the day before with one of its loaded pasta salads or a simple sandwich. In particular, the vegetarian sandwiches offer a range of solid options, including the Tofu You and Sunbutter and Local Jelly. You can do a “build your own” option, as well. For a pre-race morning bite, keep it simple with a bagel and banana. Afterward, celebrate with a craft beer from their wide selection.
Ruby Sunshine
Location: 332 W Bland St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 12330 Johnston Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Charlotte favorite Ruby Sunshine is perfect for a little recovery, whether from a great sweat or a fun weekend. Expect hearty options like eggs benedict, shrimp and grits and stuffed French toast. The sweet potato pancakes also offer a comforting carb boost. With its festive atmosphere and brunch cocktails, it’s a great place to recharge.
Toastique
Location: 1120 S Tryon St Suite 150, Charlotte, NC 28203
Toastique is a South End cafe that specializes in gourmet toast, smoothie bowls, and fresh juices — perfect for health-minded runners. Before race day, grab a PB crunch toast topped with banana and honey for quick-digesting carbs or an açai bowl made with coconut water for some extra hydration. After your run, treat yourself to a hearty breakfast sandwich and a refreshing green juice to aid recovery.
Yama LoSo
Location: 3535 Dewitt Ln, Charlotte, NC 28217
Yama LoSo, the South End outpost of Charlotte’s beloved Yama brand, blends Japanese tradition with modern flair. Sushi, with its large quantity of rice alongside light proteins, makes for a great option, as do the restaurant’s rice bowls and noodle dishes. Try the chicken teriyaki rice bowl or a miso ramen for a comforting carb-protein mix.
What else to know about your running race 🏃🏾♀️
Warm ups and post-race stretching
Of course, recovery and race prep goes beyond just the food. Dr. Natalie Hipp and Dr. Cory Lail of Process Physical Therapy in NoDa weighed in. Process often works with runners and does customized, individual programming based on client’s specific goals.
“Before a big race, focus on dynamic warm-ups to get your body moving and muscles firing,” Hipp said. “Targeting the same muscles you’ll use during your run is key. After the race, don’t just collapse — keep moving! Rehydrate, refuel and, most importantly, incorporate light movement the following day (such as an easy walk or spin) to promote circulation and reduce stiffness.”
Lail said that when he works with runners, he “reminds them that strength and recovery are just as important as the miles they put in. If an injury occurs, the solution is rarely to stop completely. Rather, it’s about finding the right balance and treatment strategies to keep training safely.”
In addition to booking with a physical therapist like those at Process, StretchLab has multiple locations across Charlotte, offering customized one-on-one stretch sessions and there are recovery options like The Invigory in Waverly with IVs, cryotherapy, compression gear and more.
Something like a deep stretch or slow flow yoga class are also great options to reset after a race. Khali Yoga has a great deep stretch class, and Arrichion Hot Yoga and Circuit Training offers both hot yoga and a Norwegian sauna with cold plunge tubs.
This story was originally published August 26, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
