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Meet the founder: How one runner built Charlotte's hottest run club

What started as one man's daily two-mile goal is now one of the city's biggest gatherings.

Things to Do

More than 1,000 people now gather weekly at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mad Miles Run Club" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/01/04/i-hate-running-but-ill-exercise-with-mad-miles-run-club-317183" data-vars-content-id="ce382f65-2c97-445c-8a00-3a0c874882fb" data-vars-headline="Meet the founder: How one runner built Charlotte&#x27;s hottest run club" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/01/04/i-hate-running-but-ill-exercise-with-mad-miles-run-club-317183" target="_self">Mad Miles Run Club</a>, which began when founder <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cornell Jones" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/press-past-releases/axios-local-recognizes-power-players-in-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="ce382f65-2c97-445c-8a00-3a0c874882fb" data-vars-headline="Meet the founder: How one runner built Charlotte&#x27;s hottest run club" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/press-past-releases/axios-local-recognizes-power-players-in-charlotte" target="_self">Cornell Jones</a> committed to running two miles a day.Why it matters: Mad Miles Run Club has grown into one of Charlotte&#x27;s largest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fitness communities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/03/19/ways-to-make-friends-in-charlotte-nc-social-groups-to-join" data-vars-content-id="ce382f65-2c97-445c-8a00-3a0c874882fb" data-vars-headline="Meet the founder: How one runner built Charlotte&#x27;s hottest run club" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/03/19/ways-to-make-friends-in-charlotte-nc-social-groups-to-join" target="_self">fitness communities</a> as it celebrates its sixth anniversary this month.

A massive luxury gym and wellness center is opening in LoSo

Carbon Performance combines high-end equipment, saunas, cold plunges, HYROX classes and co-working under one roof.

Health

Carbon Performance is a 45,000-square-foot <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="luxury fitness and recovery center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/06/11/cold-plunge-cryotherapy-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="5cdf032a-2425-46e9-b92d-2fe5f3d9057a" data-vars-headline="A massive luxury gym and wellness center is opening in LoSo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/06/11/cold-plunge-cryotherapy-charlotte" target="_self">luxury fitness and recovery center</a> opening in Lower South End later this summer.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tennessee-born fitness company&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://carbonperformance.com/about-us/" data-vars-content-id="5cdf032a-2425-46e9-b92d-2fe5f3d9057a" data-vars-headline="A massive luxury gym and wellness center is opening in LoSo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://carbonperformance.com/about-us/" target="_blank">Tennessee-born fitness company&#x27;s</a> expansion to Charlotte reflects the city&#x27;s growing appetite for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high-end wellness spaces " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/05/five-wellness-trends-charlotte-2026" data-vars-content-id="5cdf032a-2425-46e9-b92d-2fe5f3d9057a" data-vars-headline="A massive luxury gym and wellness center is opening in LoSo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/05/five-wellness-trends-charlotte-2026" target="_self">high-end wellness spaces </a>that combine strength training, recovery and lifestyle amenities under one roof.

What even is a data center?

These massive facilities power streaming, cloud storage and AI — but neighbors have concerns.

News

Charlotte <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="isn&#x27;t alone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/17/ai-data-centers-best-worst" data-vars-content-id="1ae3fcfa-c8f0-452b-8a15-040c3bcbb51e" data-vars-headline="What even is a data center?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/17/ai-data-centers-best-worst" target="_self">isn&#x27;t alone</a>. Data centers — those big, secretive, windowless warehouses packed with IT infrastructure and almost no humans — are popping up quickly throughout the country.Why it matters: Whenever you join a Zoom meeting, save photos to the cloud or stream Netflix, you&#x27;re <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="depending" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/13/data-centers-us-pushback" data-vars-content-id="1ae3fcfa-c8f0-452b-8a15-040c3bcbb51e" data-vars-headline="What even is a data center?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/13/data-centers-us-pushback" target="_self">depending</a> on a data center.

Charlotte FC's highest-paid player is delivering

Pep Biel leads Charlotte FC in pay and production.

Sports

Charlotte FC has a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top-paid player" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/10/29/charlotte-fc-highest-paid-players-2025" data-vars-content-id="b5118c79-c3cb-4fe7-9fbb-e752e3b82ccd" data-vars-headline="Charlotte FC&#x27;s highest-paid player is delivering" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/10/29/charlotte-fc-highest-paid-players-2025" target="_self">top-paid player</a>, according to the Major League Soccer Players Association&#x27;s latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="salary guide" data-vars-click-url="https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide" data-vars-content-id="b5118c79-c3cb-4fe7-9fbb-e752e3b82ccd" data-vars-headline="Charlotte FC&#x27;s highest-paid player is delivering" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide" target="_blank">salary guide</a>.Why it matters: Midfielder Pep Biel is making a club-record $3.01 million in guaranteed compensation and he has the stats to back up Charlotte FC&#x27;s investment.

Park Road Shopping Center adds Charlotte Running Co.

The longtime Dilworth location is moving into a larger Park Road Shopping Center space with coffee and recovery options.

Charlotte Running Co. will relocate its longtime Dilworth location to Park Road Shopping Center this fall in the former Bruegger&#x27;s Bagels and Caribou Coffee space.Why it matters: CRC&#x27;s new spot will feature the traditional aspects of a running store, plus recovery options and coffee.

New Spark by Hilton opens near Charlotte's airport

A former Hampton Inn near CLT was fully renovated into a new 121-room Hilton property.

A former Hampton Inn has been transformed into a new Hilton Hotel called Spark by Hilton near <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Charlotte Douglas International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/05/24/charlotte-clt-douglas-airport-food-skip-lines-guide-297974" data-vars-content-id="89ce919d-ed0c-43cb-8182-6f93028907b9" data-vars-headline="New Spark by Hilton opens near Charlotte&#x27;s airport" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/05/24/charlotte-clt-douglas-airport-food-skip-lines-guide-297974" target="_self">Charlotte Douglas International Airport</a>.Why it matters: The hotel was fully gutted and completed in April 2026, giving Charlotte another hotel option.

University renovates former Uptown hotel into dorms

The West Trade building will become permanent student housing.

Johnson &amp; Wales University is embarking on a $42 million renovation of its former hotel-turned-residence hall in Charlotte&#x27;s Third Ward.Why it matters: It&#x27;s another prominent Uptown building conversion in the works, joining projects like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brooklyn &amp; Church" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/05/29/brooklyn-church-uptown-office-conversion-housing-construction-redevelopment" data-vars-content-id="157aacde-1c79-4c31-8a3c-41276bbbf394" data-vars-headline="University renovates former Uptown hotel into dorms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/05/29/brooklyn-church-uptown-office-conversion-housing-construction-redevelopment" target="_self">Brooklyn &amp; Church</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Johnston Building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/10/24/office-market-jobs-vacancies-conversions" data-vars-content-id="157aacde-1c79-4c31-8a3c-41276bbbf394" data-vars-headline="University renovates former Uptown hotel into dorms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/10/24/office-market-jobs-vacancies-conversions" target="_self">The Johnston Building</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the former Two Wells Fargo Center" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/alexsands_/status/2047685999149363622?s=20" data-vars-content-id="157aacde-1c79-4c31-8a3c-41276bbbf394" data-vars-headline="University renovates former Uptown hotel into dorms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/alexsands_/status/2047685999149363622?s=20" target="_blank">the former Two Wells Fargo Center</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="400 South Tryon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/04/03/uptown-charlotte-400-south-tryon-conversion" data-vars-content-id="157aacde-1c79-4c31-8a3c-41276bbbf394" data-vars-headline="University renovates former Uptown hotel into dorms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/04/03/uptown-charlotte-400-south-tryon-conversion" target="_self">400 South Tryon</a>.

Pro women's basketball returns to Charlotte

The new team hopes to revive Charlotte's pro women's basketball energy.

Charlotte&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="professional women&#x27;s basketball team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/10/09/charlotte-crown-womens-basketball-upshot-league-team" data-vars-content-id="034f6b43-3bcc-42ab-9738-413a31e5af66" data-vars-headline="Pro women&#x27;s basketball returns to Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/10/09/charlotte-crown-womens-basketball-upshot-league-team" target="_self">professional women&#x27;s basketball team</a> tips off this month. Why it matters: The Charlotte Crown is the latest pro women&#x27;s sports team to call Charlotte home, and it&#x27;s part of a wave of new opportunities for women to compete professionally.

Charlotte votes to rescind I-77 support. Now what?

The 6-5 vote directs Charlotte's CRTPO rep to challenge the project.

In a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stunning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/10/new-i-77-renderings-test-charlotte-opposition" data-vars-content-id="ff58375e-98ab-4670-b8d9-8371d53f1da5" data-vars-headline="Charlotte votes to rescind I-77 support. Now what?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/10/new-i-77-renderings-test-charlotte-opposition" target="_self">stunning</a> late-night vote Monday, Charlotte City Council rescinded support for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="I-77 South toll lanes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/06/ncdot-west-end-reconnecting-communities-i77-toll-lanes" data-vars-content-id="ff58375e-98ab-4670-b8d9-8371d53f1da5" data-vars-headline="Charlotte votes to rescind I-77 support. Now what?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/06/ncdot-west-end-reconnecting-communities-i77-toll-lanes" target="_self">I-77 South toll lanes</a> project in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its current form." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/02/05/ncdot-elevated-i-77-express-lanes" data-vars-content-id="ff58375e-98ab-4670-b8d9-8371d53f1da5" data-vars-headline="Charlotte votes to rescind I-77 support. Now what?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/02/05/ncdot-elevated-i-77-express-lanes" target="_self">its current form.</a>Why it matters: The 6-5 decision could significantly delay the highly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="scrutinized" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/04/13/council-member-graham-on-i-77-designs-tear-it-up" data-vars-content-id="ff58375e-98ab-4670-b8d9-8371d53f1da5" data-vars-headline="Charlotte votes to rescind I-77 support. Now what?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/04/13/council-member-graham-on-i-77-designs-tear-it-up" target="_self">scrutinized</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/30/i77-south-toll-lanes-new-designs-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="ff58375e-98ab-4670-b8d9-8371d53f1da5" data-vars-headline="Charlotte votes to rescind I-77 support. Now what?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/30/i77-south-toll-lanes-new-designs-charlotte" target="_self">state</a> project&#x27;s path forward — or even kill it.

Charlotte City Council will vote on 150-day data center moratorium

The vote is coming. But the AI boom isn't waiting

Charlotte <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="City Council" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/08/city-council-data-center-moratorium-construction" data-vars-content-id="b80cd8cc-0db3-4955-9bd1-4b71ec4ae076" data-vars-headline="Charlotte City Council will vote on 150-day data center moratorium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/08/city-council-data-center-moratorium-construction" target="_self">City Council</a> is moving toward a 150-day moratorium on new data centers, potentially giving the city until October to develop regulations before more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="windowless warehouses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/11/charlotte-data-center-boom-electric-bills-water-use-noise-concerns" data-vars-content-id="b80cd8cc-0db3-4955-9bd1-4b71ec4ae076" data-vars-headline="Charlotte City Council will vote on 150-day data center moratorium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/11/charlotte-data-center-boom-electric-bills-water-use-noise-concerns" target="_self">windowless warehouses</a> pop up.Why it matters: Despite rising neighborhood opposition, data centers can currently be built &quot;by right&quot; in eight Charlotte zoning districts, including next to homes and in the heart of Uptown, without city approval.

Charlotte City Council to finally debate data centers freeze

Charlotte is "wild west" for data centers, with few rules.

Charlotte City Council could move Monday toward a temporary pause on new data centers amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growing resident concern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/04/29/charlotte-considers-data-center-moratorium-amid-growth" data-vars-content-id="847d2a6e-9301-4a72-98e5-358dd104c611" data-vars-headline="Charlotte City Council to finally debate data centers freeze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/04/29/charlotte-considers-data-center-moratorium-amid-growth" target="_self">growing resident concern</a>s over noise, water use and electricity demand.Why it matters: Some Charlotte leaders are antsy to take action on data centers — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="which require as much power as a small city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/20/big-tech-capex-ai" data-vars-content-id="847d2a6e-9301-4a72-98e5-358dd104c611" data-vars-headline="Charlotte City Council to finally debate data centers freeze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/20/big-tech-capex-ai" target="_self">which require as much power as a small city</a> — before more pop up without their approval or community input.

Let the "jockeying" begin for Mayor Vi Lyles' seat

Who could replace Vi Lyles as Charlotte mayor?

While politicians <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="publicly" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/jd4clt/status/2052372261869326403?s=20" data-vars-content-id="c4be72be-7627-48fd-b64b-d51b5875e96a" data-vars-headline="Let the &quot;jockeying&quot; begin for Mayor Vi Lyles&#x27; seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/jd4clt/status/2052372261869326403?s=20" target="_blank">publicly</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="praised" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/SenatorMGraham/status/2052383197153943793?s=20" data-vars-content-id="c4be72be-7627-48fd-b64b-d51b5875e96a" data-vars-headline="Let the &quot;jockeying&quot; begin for Mayor Vi Lyles&#x27; seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/SenatorMGraham/status/2052383197153943793?s=20" target="_blank">praised</a> Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles on Thursday following the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news about her resignation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/07/vi-lyles-resigns-charlotte-mayor" data-vars-content-id="c4be72be-7627-48fd-b64b-d51b5875e96a" data-vars-headline="Let the &quot;jockeying&quot; begin for Mayor Vi Lyles&#x27; seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/07/vi-lyles-resigns-charlotte-mayor" target="_self">news about her resignation</a>, the behind-the-scenes campaigns to replace her are likely already underway.Why it matters: An interim mayor could be the expected Democratic nominee in the 2027 election, compressing what would normally be an aggressive race to lead the country&#x27;s 14th-largest city into a matter of weeks.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles will resign early

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles will resign effective June 30, a year and a half before her term ends.

Mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vi Lyles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/07/10/mayor-vi-lyles-reelection-bid-campaign-2025-municipal" data-vars-content-id="ac1a9d83-1bae-4e5f-9673-4486d2e0bca0" data-vars-headline="Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles will resign early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/07/10/mayor-vi-lyles-reelection-bid-campaign-2025-municipal" target="_self">Vi Lyles</a> announced on Thursday that she will resign from office, effective June 30, a year and a half before her term ends.Why it matters: Lyles&#x27; resignation will likely trigger a battle for her interim seat and potentially set up one of the most competitive mayoral races in recent history.

News 🗞

Park Road Shopping Center adds Charlotte Running Co.

This free fitness mixer keeps packing out the house

New Spark by Hilton opens near Charlotte's airport

University renovates former Uptown hotel into dorms

Pro women's basketball returns to Charlotte