Charlotte Marathon will be virtual this year, due to COVID. Here are the details.
Runners, it’s time to charge the Garmin. The Charlotte Marathon, half marathon and relay races are going virtual this year.
We know, crossing the “finish line” without crowds of people cheering you on is not your first choice. But it’s the safest thing to do in the year of 2020 and COVID-19. And we’re sure you’re going to rock that medal on November 14.
RunCharlotte, the marathon’s production and management company, announced the move on Wednesday morning, along with a Facebook live event at 6 p.m. Thursday, inviting you to give input on what you’d like to see in a virtual marathon.
And really — the marathon team knows that some of you have done some virtual races by now, so you know what works and what doesn’t. Show up with ideas for the race, ideas for social-distancing jokes on swag, or just anything that will make our city’s virtual marathon better than other virtual marathon out there. Can’t attend the Facebook live, but have suggestions? Email ed@runcharlotte.com.
“Runners are a resilient breed,” Tim Rhodes, race director for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, said in a statement. “We’re used to overcoming obstacles, digging deep, and managing unique situations on-the-fly. This is no different. We’re ready to embrace the opportunity with the Charlotte running community, our partners and friends.”
About 1,200 people have signed up for this year’s marathon thus far. If you’re already registered but don’t want to run virtually, you do have some choices. You can defer your race to 2021 or donate your registration fee to Novant Health’s Hemby Children’s Hospital.
“Committing to a virtual event was not a decision that came easily — we explored every possible option,” Rhodes said. “But with so much uncertainty around events and with everyone’s health in mind, we feel this is the best and safest move to make.”
Since 2005, the 26.2 mile Charlotte Marathon (formerly Thunder Road Marathon) has offered runners views of the Queen City via foot, winding through uptown, Dilworth, Wilmore and the Gold District, Plaza Midwood, NoDa and South Charlotte. It was renamed the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon in 2016.
The 2019 marathon reached capacity, as did the half marathon and marathon relay. Almost 6,000 people from 40 states and 8 other countries showed up for the annual running series.
How does a virtual event work, anyway?
By now, we’ve all heard about that guy in Barcelona that ran a marathon on his patio during COVID-19 lockdown. At least during North Carolina’s safer-at-home Phase 2, you aren’t confined to porch running. Compared to that, this is cake. Fire up your treadmill if you haven’t yet nicknamed it your dreadmill. Or for a really fun challenge, sign up your roommate without asking them first so you can have a buddy (we’re sure that will go really well).
All kidding aside, a virtual marathon can actually offer a lot of good options. We asked D.C. Lucchesi with the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon team for some pro tips on getting the most from a virtual running race. Here’s what he said:
1. Be creative.
You’ve seen those folks on patios, in backyards, pools, etc. Ask yourself, “What would Elvis do?” (Or at least those guys who dress like Elvis at the races.) Try something you’d never do in a “real” race, like wear a costume, eat a cheesecake, call your mom …
2. Embrace the “social” aspect.
Use the event hashtag (#runcharlotte) and brag a little, show us how you do your thing, or post that obligatory Garmin pic with the distance and time. It’s all good.
3. Make it a challenge.
Hit a new fastest mile, a new longest run, a best time on a usual running route. Better still, make a wager with a running buddy. Or yourself. (See No. 5) Plot an all-new route on Strava, Google or MapMyRun.
4. Run for a cause.
Most of us carry a torch for some kind of cause or nonprofit. Running can (sometimes) be a self-indulgent activity. Encourage your friends to donate for every mile or minute you run. You’ll be running for something even bigger. Need a cause? The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon benefits Novant Health’s Hemby Children’s Hospital.
5. Celebrate your accomplishment.
Seriously, you still checked the box — reward yourself. (Where’s that cheesecake again?) Even if you didn’t, we won’t tell. Just getting started is worth celebrating.
This story was originally published August 19, 2020 at 8:00 AM.
