12 races to sign up for this season, from the Shamrock 4 Miler to the 24 Hour Relay Race
Running changed my life — and I’m currently training for my 30th marathon March 18 in Atlanta. Ready to get into race shape this season, too?
Here are 12 races to sign up for:
BB&T Corporate Cup
Saturday, March 10
5K (8:15am $35) Half Marathon (7:40am $80)
Uptown Charlotte
As the YMCA says, “Make your footprints count” during the YMCA’s 39th annual campaign fundraiser to provide programs to kids and teens to reach their full potential, promote healthy lifestyles, foster responsibility and strengthen the community. This event is open to walkers and runners of all levels.
Shamrock 4 Miler Run/Walk
Saturday, March 17
8 am: 4 Miler ($35) 4 Miler grades K-12 ($25) Kids Leprechaun Jog ($5)
7382 Rea Rd
Kick off your St Patrick’s Day weekend with a 4-mile run or walk with live music and plenty of events for the kids. This race is perfect for a good workout or a fun run with your friends and kids.
Color Me Green 5K
Saturday, March 17
5K 10am ($35 pre registration by March 14, $42 race day)
U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy
This untimed race is perfect for beginning runners and walkers with a fun twist to avoid being covered in green dye as you run through the trails. Wear a white shirt as awards will be given to the cleanest and the greenest (in nature) participants.
Dash For Down Syndrome 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run
Saturday, March 24
8:30am
5K ($35 Preregister, $40 Race Day) 1 Mile Fun Run ($20 Preregister, $25 Race Day)
Blakeney Professional Center, 8835 Blakeney Professional Center Dr.
This race is dedicated to fundraising for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte. People with Down Syndrome have an extra chromosome. So this race has something EXTRA too — official times will be recorded at the 5K finish line, but then runners will have to dash the extra .11 miles to finish 3.21 in honor of the 3rd copy of the 21st chromosome present in people with Down Syndrome. To make this even more special you may be accompanied by a special friend (“DASHers with Down Syndrome”) during the dash. This race is perfect for runners/walkers of all levels and to those who want to give back to an amazing charity.
The Amazing Race Charlotte Family Friendly Obstacle Course
Sunday, March 25
3 pm
Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Dr., Pineville
$49.99-$79.99 dependent on the number of t-shirts and finisher medals ordered
This adventure race is modeled after the popular TV show “The Amazing Race” featuring teams of two people racing in a competition with against others of similar age. There will be a variety of fun mental and physical tasks to complete along the way with teamwork being an important skill to advance. You can walk, jog, run the 1.5 mile course, but be prepared to get a little dirty and wet. This race benefits pediatric cancer. If you bring two pairs of gently used sneakers you will receive 2 tokens good for 2 minutes subtracted off your time. This race is perfect for a family event to participate or cheer along the way.
The Final 4 Miler
Saturday, March 31
8 am
Outside the Spectrum Center, 333 E Trade St.
Cost: $44, $50 race day
This-basketball themed race is perfect for hoops fans because it celebrates the Final Four weekend of the March Madness tournament. Participants are encouraged to dress up in their favorite teams’ attire. There will be a costume contest, food trucks and live music. This race is great for racers of all levels and basketball fans looking to get active while celebrating their team.
Charlotte RaceFest Half Marathon and 10K
Saturday, April 14
7:30am
SotuhPark Mall, 4400 Sharon Road
Half Marathon ($65 through 4/3, $80 Race Day) 10K ($45 through 4/3, $50 Race Day)
This race is ideal for medium level runners looking for a local competitive race to compete in (there is a 3 hour time limit for the half marathon) there will be plenty of water stations throughout the course.
6th Annual Bike Luck Presented by the Charlotte Knights
Saturday, April 28
8 am
60, 45 or 20 mile ride and family ride ($40, or $10 for the family fun ride)
Grinnell Water Works, 1435 Bryant St.
This ride gives back to Camp LUCK (“lucky unlimited cardiac kids”), which provides medically supervised camp experiences for kids with significant heart disease. The program is designed to nurture, educate and support kids and their families. Donations help sponsor kids who attend camp in Kings Mountain State Park. This event is open to bikers of all levels with three different distances.
The Sarcoma Stomp 5K/3K Walk
Saturday, April 28
8 am
$25
Christ Lutheran Church, 4519 Providence Road
This family friendly road race is an annual fundraiser event since 2011, hosted by the non-profit Paula Takacs Foundation for Sarcoma Research that also directly benefits the Levine Cancer Institute and Levine Children’s Hospital. This event is great for runners/walkers of all levels and for the family, with plenty of fun activities and community for all.
Time Laps 24-Hour Relay Race
Friday, May 4-Saturday, May 5
7 pm-7 pm
$110 per person
U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy
The 5th annual Time Laps 24-Hour Relay Race puts endurance to the test as you and your team race around the clock working to earn as many points as possible based off mileage. This event is for experienced trail runners looking for an endurance trail challenge, but has plenty to do for friends and family cheering you on throughout the race.
Run! Ballantyne 8K/5K Family Fun Race
Saturday, May 19
7:30am
8K ($30 before 5/4) 5K ($25 before 5/4) Fun Run ($15 before 5/4)
Sara’s YMCA, 15940 Brixham Hill Ave.
Support the YMCA in their annual campaign to give the opportunity to kids to grow, learn and play in a safe and friendly environment through their various camps, programs, and sports. This race is open to runners of all levels and speeds, and serves as an event for the whole family.
The Charlotte Mile & Let Me Run 5K
Saturday, May 19
8 am (1-Mile), 9 am (5K)
1-Mile ($20 through 4/19) 5K ($25 through 4/19 and $30 after)
Whitehall Business Park, 3600 Acro Dr.
The 1-Mile run is for competitive runners who want to test their speed and can complete the distance in under 10 minutes. The 5K benefits the Let Me Run nonprofit that inspired boys to run, be courageous and live a healthy lifestyle. This is also the end of the season event the boys have been working towards, to celebrate all they’ve done and how much they’ve grown.
Featured photo: John D. Simmons/Charlotte Observer/Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published March 5, 2018 at 8:00 PM with the headline "12 races to sign up for this season, from the Shamrock 4 Miler to the 24 Hour Relay Race."