20 spring races to run this year, including the Know Your Craft 5K and a 24-hour race at the Whitewater Center
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Spring is officially here – and you’ve got until June 21 to get a race or two in.
March
Elizabeth 8K Road Race
The race is back for its 32nd year with a new, USATF-certified course and a 1.5-mile fun run. Proceeds benefit the Elizabeth Community Association and TreesCharlotte.
Date: March 24
Time: 8-10 a.m.
Location: Hawthorne Recreation Center, Independence Park
Cost: $12-$37, includes a t-shirt while supplies last. Register.
The New South Trail Marathon & Half Marathon
The Whitewater Center’s lap-style race follows the trail system along the river. Stick around for food, drinks, awards and prizes.
Date: March 24
Time: Marathon starts at 8 a.m., Half Marathon starts at 9 a.m. Course closes at 3 p.m.
Location: US National Whitewater Center
Cost: $60-$80. Register.
Know Your Craft 5K
This 5K benefits Project 2 Heal, a nonprofit that seeks to pair therapy dogs with veterans and those with special needs. The race starts and ends at Triple C, which means there will be a party complete with beer after you’re done.
Date: March 31
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Triple C Brewing Co.
Cost: $20-$35. Includes a t-shirt while supplies last. Register.
April
FreeMoreWest 5K on the Greenway
Enjoy a run through the neighborhood before you have a beer or two and bask in the skyline view. Proceeds benefit Classroom Central, one of the neighborhood’s nonprofits.
Date: April 13
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Parking lot at 1432 West Morehead Street
Cost: $25-$35. Register.
Charlotte RaceFest Half Marathon & 10K
Choose between a half marathon and 10K course, both of which start at SouthPark Mall, and stick around for an afterparty with live music, awards ceremonies, food and beer.
Date: April 14
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: SouthPark Mall
Cost: $50-$90. Includes a t-shirt and medal. Register.
Race2Educate 5K
All money raised supports University City schools and creates college scholarships, with last year’s participants raising over $10,500 in total.
Date: April 14
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: 7910 Neal Road
Cost: $25. Register.
2018 Camp CARE 5K
Money raised benefits Camp CARE (Cancer Ain’t Really the End), which provides a week of summer camp and year-round activities to children that have and have fought cancer in the greater Charlotte area. This year is the first time the 5K will be held in the spring.
Date: April 21
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: McAlpine Creek Park
Cost: $20-$25. Register.
Charlotte Water for People 5K
This race, put on by The NC AWWA-WEA Water For People committee, winds along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, starting and ending at The Metropolitan. Proceeds benefit Water For People, a non-profit working in 9 countries to bring water coverage to those that don’t have access to it.
Date: April 28
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: 1111 Metropolitan Avenue
Cost: $30-$35. Register.
Miles Against Melanoma
Created in memory of Amy Jo Robinson, who lost her battle with melanoma at 30, the race proceeds will benefit and stay Levine Cancer Institute’s Melanoma and Immunotherapy Fund. Register before April 1 to be guaranteed a t-shirt.
Date: April 28
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: Arboretum Shopping Center, Omega Sports
Cost: $10-$30. Register.
Sarcoma Stomp
Your run will benefit the Paula Takacs Foundation for Sarcoma Research, which is hoping to hit the $1 million mark this year. Proceeds benefit Levine Cancer Institute and Levine Children’s Hospital’s clinical trials and research projects.
Date: April 28
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: Christ Lutheran Church
Cost: $25-$30. Register.
Girls on the Run South Region 5K
The family-friendly race isn’t about time, but about feeling like you’ve accomplished something, so while there is a clock at the finish line, the race is un-chipped.
Date: April 28
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Location: Whitehall Corporate Center
Cost: $30-$35. Register.
May
Time Laps 24 Hour Relay Race
Teams are tasked with earning as many points as possible in a 24-hour period in this lap-based relay race. Each runner will receive a t-shirt, medal, hot meals, NoDa Brewing beer, camping and access to a post-race party.
Date: May 4-5
Time: 7 p.m.-7 p.m.
Location: U.S. National Whitewater Center
Cost: $110 per person, not including camp deposit ($50). Register.
The HEARTest Yard + Showmars 5K
Join Greg Olsen and Showmars in raising money to benefit the families of babies born with a heart defect at Levine Children’s Hospital.
Date: May 12
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: CMC Myers Park
Cost: $30. Register.
Run! Ballantyne
Last year, the race was one of the largest in Ballantyne, raising $79,000+ to allow children the opportunity to participate in YMCA programs like after school care, summer camp and team sports.
Date: May 19
Time: 7:45 a.m.
Location: Sara’s YMCA
Cost: $15-$40. Register.
The Charlotte Mile
This race is not a fun run, but a designated competitive mile race, and all runners should be able to complete the course in less than 10 minutes. Awards will be given to top 3 overall, masters and top largest team. While you’re there, check out the Let Me Run 5K.
Date: May 19
Time: 1-mile course starts at 8 a.m.
Location: Whitehall Business Park
Cost: $20-$25. Register.
Memorial Day Trail Race
Celebrate the holiday with a 5- or 8-mile race through the Center’s trail system and a day of live music, activities and fireworks.
Date: May 27
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: U.S. National Whitewater Center
Cost: $30-$42. Register.
June
Keep Pounding 5K
100% of proceeds benefit adult and pediatric cancer research programs at Levine Cancer Institute and Levine Children’s Hospital. Registration will be capped at 1,000 participants, and there’s a fundraising minimum of $51 to run.
Date: June 2
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: Specific route will be announced later this year, but will conclude on the Panthers practice field. Park at the Morehead Medical Plaza Parking Deck.
Cost: $30. Register.
NoDa 5K
This chip-timed race starts and ends at NoDa Brewing. Celebrate crossing the finish line with food trucks, beer, live music and more. The first 1,100 to register will receive a medal.
Date: June 2
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: NoDa Brewing Company
Cost: $25-$40. Register.
Brew Dash 6K
Earn the beer you’ll down at Sol Fest – there’ll be plenty of live music and the country’s top craft beers on-site – with a 6K Trail Race on the Center’s trails.
Date: June 16
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: U.S. National Whitewater Center
Cost: $30-$60. Register.
Strides for Shelter 5K Run/Walk
Everyone should care about the city’s affordable housing crisis – here’s your chance. The race will benefit the upcoming renovation of the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte Tryon Street location. Register by June 15 for a t-shirt.
Date: June 23
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Location: McAlpine Creek Park
Cost: $15-$35. Register.