Where to catch today’s Charlotte Marathon

Events include the marathon, all 26.2 miles, the relay, the half marathon, 13.1 miles, 5K and kid’s dash.

Why it matters: The marathon took place virtually in 2020 due to the pandemic, but returned to in-person racing for 2021.

• Charlotte’s only road marathon is also a Boston Marathon qualifier.

Turn-by-turn instructions with estimated “all clear” times for traffic can be found here. 

Where we’re watching: While I will be running the full marathon, members of our Axios Charlotte family will be watching in NoDa.

• 35th St. and 36th St. always brings energy, which runners desperately need around mile 17 and 21.

A finish festival will take place between Truist Field and Romare Bearden Park. The finish line is on 4th St. Expected first finishing times are:

• 7:55 am for the 5K.

• 8:35 am for the half marathon.
• 9:50 am for the full marathon.

Track runners with the RaceJoy app. Search for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. 

My thought bubble: If you’re trying to decide between cheering on the first half of the course or the second, go for the second.

• The first half of the race and around the start and the finish lines always has a great atmosphere, but it’s the second half of the race that gets lonely and mentally exhausting.

Bonus: Make a sign.

• Runners appreciate the distraction, and it means the world to us to know you care enough to make a sign.

For a cause: Charlotte Marathon events have raised over $200,000 since 2014 for Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital.

• Runners can also donate clothes before and after the start of the race by tossing them in the Ally clothing drop boxes.
• Clothing donations benefit Running Works.

Bummer for runners: Organizers told participants via email they don’t anticipate having finishers’ medals, but will get them to runners via pickup or mail when they arrive.

• “Our medals —while ordered well in advance — were stuck at port like so many other overseas shipments,” race organizers told  runners via email.