Things to do

Ultimate guide to local fun runs

By Nicole Brantley

Updated October 13, 2019 1:40 PM

TODD SUMLIN tsumlin@charlotteobserver.com

Running seems to be overtaking the world. And I love it. It isn’t a team sport, but we make it one.

With such a sense of community within the running world, it’s nice to have something fun to look forward to at the finish line. More and more, race organizers are aiming to provide excellent and challenging routes with a little something special at the end of the race. It used to be that you’d finish, get your banana, maybe stretch and move along with your life. Now, there are parties at the finish line.

Finish line parties to look forward to:

Race to the Taste 5k

-Uptown

-On Saturday, June 6 at 9 a.m.

-Best for: Foodies

-You get beer at the finish (Corona Light) and a “super coin” for any food item at the Taste of Charlotte festival.

The 1st Corona Light Race to the Taste @TasteCLT is in the books! Thanks @coronaextrausa, @Publix & @CheckersHockey pic.twitter.com/UwY13JIbTA
— Taste of Charlotte (@TasteCLT) June 7, 2014

Brew Dash 6K

-At U.S. National Whitewater Center

-On Saturday, June 13 at 11:30 a.m.

-Best for: Beer snobs

-Get your run on before you get your brew on at the 4th annual Brew Stash Bash American Craft Beer Festival. A $10 beer sampling card is available for racers at half price and NoDa Brewing is the race sponsor. Need I say more?

Join us on June 13th for the first ever Brew Stash Breakfast featuring a gourmet breakfast menu, @nodabrewing Cavu … pic.twitter.com/RMAEn0arG9 — USNWC (@usnwc) June 1, 2015

American 4 Miler

-At Toast Cafe in Dilworth

-On Saturday, July 4 at 7:30 a.m.

-Best for: Dragging your family along

-‘Merica. Why not do your body good before destroying it on Lake Norman with red and blue Jell-O shots? Get your family to run with you, cheer you on or just meet you after the race for a good ol’ American brunch. Celebrate the land of the free and the home of the buff.

Crab Cake Benedict: poached eggs, crab cakes, hollandaise, potatoes | Toast, Dilworth, Cha… http://t.co/Bj2vqgWuar pic.twitter.com/DihyPN3ASX
— eatsofclt (@eatsofclt) April 19, 2015

Foam Glow 5K

-At Lowe’s Motor Speedway

-On Saturday, July 18 at 9 p.m.

-Best for: Night owls

-This is basically the Color Run on steroids. You run around the perimeter of Lowe’s Motor Speedway, passing through different foam stations. Let that foam glow at the post-race black-light party, complete with music. Rock N Run 5K

-At NC Music Factory

-On Saturday, August 8 at 8 a.m.

-Best for: Music lovers

-Not only do you get breakfast, but also a concert post-race. How cool is that?

All Runners! Early bird registration ends June 1 for the @ncmusicfactory 5K Rock ‘N Run/Walk. Register NOW! @RFYL http://t.co/glhT8okgs1
— ncrockandrun (@ncrockandrun) May 27, 2015

OrthoCarolina 10K Classic Food Truck and Beer Fest

-In Elizabeth/Plaza Midwood

-On Saturday, August 22 at 7:30 a.m. (5K) and 7:45 a.m. (10K)

-Best for: Everyone

-This is a challenging course (I ran it last year), but six breweries and four food trucks will meet you at the finish line this year. Nom nom nom.