New Charlotte road race seeks to engage ‘anyone’ in the Queen City running community
A new community running event is coming to Charlotte.
The Charlotte Sports Foundation announced Tuesday it will be hosting the inaugural Meck Mile, presented by Albemarle, on May 25, 2024, at American Legion Memorial Stadium.
The event features a mile-long course around the stadium and is open to participants of all skill levels. Registration is open on MeckMile.com.
“We wanted to create an event that anyone felt welcome at, whether you’re walking, whether you are running your fastest race ever or whether you’re a pro,” Charlotte Sports Foundation’s director of communications and marketing Miller Yoho said. “This is one of those opportunities where you can compete or experience something at whatever pace you want to, and then just a couple hours later, you can see a professional do it. I don’t think there’s another sport in the world where you could do it, then see a pro do the exact same thing in half the time.”
The event will include five different races of varying levels. A recreational hour will be offered in which participants are encouraged to pick their own pace and “walk, dance, run or stroll,” their way through the course. There will also be a half-mile race for kids 11 and under.
Registration for the kid’s race is free, and registration for the recreational race opens at $20.
There will then be competitive, elite and pro heats. The competitive race is meant for runners who can complete a mile in under 12 minutes, and the elite race is open to men who can complete a mile in under five minutes and women who can complete a mile in under five-and-a-half minutes.
Competitive race registration opens at $25, and elite race registration opens at $35.
Finally, there will be an invite-only professional heat featuring local and national runners for the final race of the evening.
All races will finish on the field, where a Finish Line Festival will be waiting. There, participants can enjoy cheer sections, music, kids zones and vendors, including the race’s main sponsor, Albemarle.
“At Albemarle, we partner to pioneer new ways to move, power, connect and protect with people and planet in mind,” Netha Johnson, President of Specialties at Albemarle, said. “The Meck Mile reinforces that mission here in our home city of Charlotte. Together with the Charlotte Sports Foundation, we’re proud to present this event celebrating healthy movement and connection through community.”
The Meck Mile fits into an already busy competitive and recreational running calendar for the Queen City, including the Charlotte Marathon, the Elizabeth 8K and the Around the Crown 10K.
Whereas running a marathon may not be attainable for everyone, the goal of the Meck Mile is to create a space where everyone feels comfortable however they choose to complete the race.
“I think that’s something that really appeals to us in terms of making an impact on the quality of life is creating an event where people can feel empowered to do their level of activity that they get excited by,” Yoho said.
This story was originally published August 15, 2023 at 6:05 AM.
