2024 Charlotte running guide: Local run clubs, races, shoe stores, hot yoga recovery
Some of my best moments around Charlotte involve running.
And I’m not here to tell you that all running moments are good moments — in fact, many are quite the opposite:
- I can tell you which street in Villa Heights I faceplanted on at 5 a.m., when I didn’t see a bump in the road (with two friends as witnesses).
- I can tell you where on Stonewall Street (now MLK Jr. Boulevard) I made a lifelong friend after he pulled me out of uptown traffic because I was in the zone and blanked on checking the crosswalk lights. Made for a best-friend-meet-cute story?
- I can even tell you approximately where I was on Providence Road when I realized I’d made a wrong turn somewhere on a 20 mile run, and my mileage was done but I was still several miles from my car. Whoops!
But somehow, even those “bad” moments make for good memories. I wasn’t seriously hurt in any of them, and now when I pass one of those places in the car I am reminded of those times and many, many more.
When I started distance running, I learned that you can live in an area your entire life and never really know your city until you know it by foot. Give it a try sometime — pick a day where you have nothing but time, head to a part of town you haven’t met via foot, then just go.
If you’re just getting into running or want to step it up in 2024, here are some tips to get you going:
Find a community
Joining a group of like-minded humans is always a good way to get going. There are running clubs galore out there, so take your pick. A few options:
- Around the Crown: In fact, the team behind the annual 10K and training sessions is holding a launch party on Saturday, Jan. 13, at NoDa Brewing Co.’s North End taproom. Go get some miles in, meet some new running friends and get a discount on the 10K registration if you choose to sign up.
- Mad Miles Run Club: Weekly runs are on Tuesdays and Saturdays at the run club that strives for inclusivity.
- Brewery run clubs: Check out the “run clubs” category in our brewery guide for a full list.
Support your local running store
Seriously, if you’ve not been to a local running store to get shoe fitted, you’ve started out on the wrong foot (literally!). Most shoe experts will watch you walk or run (outside or on a treadmill). Some will film your feet while you’re running and then measure things like stride and pronation. You’ll get to try on shoes there and give them a spin. If your feet are happy, you’re set up for success!
Here are a few running shoe stores to check out:
- Charlotte Running Co.
- Fleet Feet Charlotte or Huntersville (the company purchased Ultra Running last year)
- Run For Your Life
Sign up for a local race
There’s nothing like the race day jitters, then post-race bliss, to get a runner hooked on running. Whether you’re eyeing a 5K or a 26.2 mile marathon, a trail run or a fun run, Charlotte has some great races. Here are some to sign up for in 2024:
- Frigid Trail Race & Plunge: 5K or 10K race that ends with a plunge into the U.S. National Whitewater Center’s deep water solo pool on Feb. 3, 2024. This is part of a race series by the Whitewater Center — check out the full list.
- Charlotte RaceFest: 10K, 10K relay and half marathon on April 6, 2024.
- Around the Crown: 10K race on Sept. 1, 2024.
- Charlotte Marathon: 5K, relay, half marathon or marathon on Nov. 16, 2024.
Check out Charlotte Run Guides for a full list of 2024 running races.
Explore the greenways
Check out Théoden’s guide to running the Charlotte-area greenways. He learned a lot when he attempted to run it end to end.
- Want to hear more pro running tips from Théoden? Check out his recent interview in the Running around Charlotte podcast.
For some post-greenway running activities, check out Shannon’s story about things to do along Charlotte’s greenways aside from walking or running.
Make a perfect playlist
I get sick of my running songs after a while, so I make a new playlist at least once a year (sometimes twice, if I’m running a lot). This I think is best crowdsourced. Do you have any running song favorites right now? Email me and tell me what they are — I need inspiration!
Here are a few of my current favorites (make sure to look for the clean versions when downloading to a device if you have little ones who might listen!):
- Cruel Summer — Taylor Swift
- The Sign — Lizzo
- World’s Smallest Violin - AJR
- Bad Idea Right — Olivia Rodrigo
Don’t forget cross training
Running can bring on a feeling like nothing else — I get it. It can be tempting to skip cross-training or think it doesn’t matter — you’re just trying to get your miles in, right? The truth is, if you add in resistance training and stretching to all that cardio, your runs will be even better.
When I trained for my third marathon, I actually listened to the experts who tell you when to get that cross-training in, and I ended up shaving up 5 minutes from my P.R. (personal record) time. I took full advantage of my membership at Arrichion Hot Yoga to get in my cross training.
I highly recommend it: The hot room feels so good on sore muscles, and the circuit/weights training gives a great strength-training option. I would show up early and run before class, so I could go straight into the hot yoga room. It was magical! Pro tip: Bring extra electrolyte water to class with you on those days!
Have fun
Ultimately, remember that whether you’re running a mile for the first time or training for an ultra, the only real rule is to enjoy yourself (because at times, the actual running will be very, very hard).
So grab your running bestie (if you don’t have one, don’t run into traffic to find him like I did!), pick out your favorite professionally fitted shoes, hit play on the playlist and get moving!
Do you have any running tips that you want to share with others? Email us and let me know what they are — we may share your thoughts in future coverage.
This story was originally published January 12, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
