This would be the 4th time I ran in the Charlotte Marathon - twice in the half, one in the full, and this year in the marathon relay. Here are … MORE
This would be the 4th time I ran in the Charlotte Marathon – twice in the half, one in the full, and this year in the marathon relay. Here are my bulleted thoughts on this year and a few consistent critics:
1) Spectators in Charlotte aren’t great… with the fact that in runs through several neighborhoods, only two come out in stride and its just in little pockets. If people made a fund day out of it, it would be such a better race!
2) This year included terrible (or no) course markers. I watched several top finishers add time to their run because there was no one telling them where to go. The fifth place finisher I watched turn around, ask a cop for directions and then turned to me for support. TERRIBLE. Each year I always see people confused at the marathon/half split and they never improve it.
3) The pacer signs were illegible while running. Unless you were face-to-face with it, it couldn’t be read. Not helpful when you are trying to pace.
4) This year they picked the smallest location. They had to send directions on how to park and how to get a shuttle.
5) It was planned on a weekend with the light rail – the easiest and most effective for of transportation to the race, was not going to be in service. I don’t know if this was poor planning on their part, on the city or both.
6) if you do it for the medal, their medals are not the best.
There are several other reasons that this year may have convinced me not to do it again…. but I’ll let you decide.
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Usually Good but Poorly Run in 2021
This would be the 4th time I ran in the Charlotte Marathon - twice in the half, one in the full, and this year in the marathon relay. Here are … MORE
This would be the 4th time I ran in the Charlotte Marathon – twice in the half, one in the full, and this year in the marathon relay. Here are my bulleted thoughts on this year and a few consistent critics:
1) Spectators in Charlotte aren’t great… with the fact that in runs through several neighborhoods, only two come out in stride and its just in little pockets. If people made a fund day out of it, it would be such a better race!
2) This year included terrible (or no) course markers. I watched several top finishers add time to their run because there was no one telling them where to go. The fifth place finisher I watched turn around, ask a cop for directions and then turned to me for support. TERRIBLE. Each year I always see people confused at the marathon/half split and they never improve it.
3) The pacer signs were illegible while running. Unless you were face-to-face with it, it couldn’t be read. Not helpful when you are trying to pace.
4) This year they picked the smallest location. They had to send directions on how to park and how to get a shuttle.
5) It was planned on a weekend with the light rail – the easiest and most effective for of transportation to the race, was not going to be in service. I don’t know if this was poor planning on their part, on the city or both.
6) if you do it for the medal, their medals are not the best.
There are several other reasons that this year may have convinced me not to do it again…. but I’ll let you decide.
More uphill than downhill
I wouldn’t recommend this race for a first timer. I trained running hills in the PNW for months and still found it difficult to maintain stamina throughout for all the … MORE
I wouldn’t recommend this race for a first timer. I trained running hills in the PNW for months and still found it difficult to maintain stamina throughout for all the hills. As if there weren’t enough, they added an extra one in mile 25. I started my watch just as I crossed the starting line and my garmin read 26.6 when I crossed the finish line. There were areas in the back half of the course that weren’t clearly marked. Can’t say I’d run this marathon again.
Bigger Challenge Than Expected
The course was more difficult than I anticipated with a lot of slow climbs that may go unnoticed if not running a marathon. The first 8-9 miles were through attractive … MORE
The course was more difficult than I anticipated with a lot of slow climbs that may go unnoticed if not running a marathon. The first 8-9 miles were through attractive residential areas, but following these initial miles I do not recall any scenery of note.
The race was well organized and easy to navigate the expo, start line, and finish line.
Great race, great town!
Charlotte is a great town. The race is well organized and the city comes out to watch runners. Hilly! and this year it was chilly and really windy! MORE
Charlotte is a great town. The race is well organized and the city comes out to watch runners. Hilly! and this year it was chilly and really windy!
Fun race
Charlotte is my hometown so I'm biased but this race was fun and had awesome fan participation all over the course! Although, mile 25 was tough!! it was a gradual … MORE
Charlotte is my hometown so I’m biased but this race was fun and had awesome fan participation all over the course! Although, mile 25 was tough!! it was a gradual up hill, so beware.
First Race in my life
AS this is my first race struggled and disappointed when all the half marthons left me... MORE
AS this is my first race struggled and disappointed when all the half marthons left me…
Charlotte is a great place to visit/run
While there weren't a ton of crowds, the entire course went through beautiful areas - no industrial parts. Smallish race (less than 1,000 runners) which is nice. MORE
While there weren’t a ton of crowds, the entire course went through beautiful areas – no industrial parts. Smallish race (less than 1,000 runners) which is nice.