Hundreds of North Carolinians will run the Boston Marathon today, Axios' Ashley Mahoney writes.

What’s happening: Around 30,000 runners will be in Boston to take part in one of the World Marathon Majors, a list that also includes races in New York, Chicago, Tokyo, London and Berlin.

• ESPN will broadcast the race from 8:30am until 1pm.

Why it matters: The Boston Marathon is one of the world’s most prestigious road races. Runners either have to qualify for it or participate on behalf of a charity.

By the numbers: 566 runners from North Carolina registered for the marathon, per race organizers, and 93 of them list Charlotte as their home address.

Zoom in: Ashley spoke with four of the Charlotte runners:

• 35-year-old landscape architect Casey Cline, who is running Boston for the third time.
• Franklin Keathley, a 41-year-old IT consultant and four-time Boston runner.
• Will Martin, 24, who coordinates player and coach interviews for Charlotte FC and played soccer for the Queens Royals.
• Chris Zuerner, 34, a former NC State soccer player, who is running Boston for the fourth time.

Full story: 4 Charlotteans running the Boston Marathon

Nearly half of North Carolinians are obese, Axios' Lucille Sherman writes, according to a new analysis from NORC, a research organization at the University of Chicago.

• 45% of the state has a BMI over 30 — a little more than 2% higher than the national average.

Why it matters: Obesity is associated with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke and other conditions that can lead to preventable, premature death, Axios' Arielle Dreher reports.

Zoom in: Mecklenburg County is ranked sixth in the state for overall health outcomes, which factors in obesity, per the 2023 County Health Rankings report.

• Many counties east of Charlotte ranked lower, like Robeson, which came in last place.

By the numbers: Around 23% of our state has a BMI higher than 35, and 10% higher than 40.

• One in three of North Carolinian kids ages 10-17 are overweight or obese. Nearly 48% of those kids are Black, NC Child's 2023 Child Health Report Card found.

Full story: Almost half of North Carolina is obese

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This week's weather is perfect for getting out and about. Here are some ideas for things to do, from Axios' McKenzie Rankin:

🍣 Monday: Make your own sushi at Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts.

🪚 Tuesday: Learn woodshop essentials at MakerSpace Charlotte.

🏃 Wednesday: Sweat during a free workout at Salata in Rea Farms.

🍸 Thursday: Take a floral flavors cocktail class at Billy Sunday.

🍴Friday: Try different cuisines at Black Food Truck Fridays at West Complex.

Full weekday planner

Here's an example of how early COVID-era musings that the pandemic could have a big and lasting effect on oil demand didn't really pan out, Axios energy reporter Ben Geman writes.

The big picture: U.S. vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2021 and 2022 were "similar to pre-pandemic years despite the increase in the number of people working from home," per the latest entry in DOE's "transportation fact of the week" series.

How it works: "Likely, increased VMT from home delivery (Amazon, UPS, etc.) and separate errands that would previously have been done on the way to or from work offset much of the lost VMT from reduced work trips," it notes.

Zoom in: There's an ongoing effort to reduce VMT in North Carolina, Axios' Laura Barrero writes.

• In January 2022, Governor Roy Cooper signed  "North Carolina’s Transformation to a Clean, Equitable Economy" Act.
• The law orders NCDOT to develop a Clean Transportation Plan, which outlines actionable strategies for VMT reduction throughout the state.

Driving the news: NCDOT sent the governor a plan, WFAE reported this month, that calls for increasing sales of electric vehicles, promoting alternative fuel sources and building out charging infrastructure.

Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates relocated its Mooresville practice last month.

What you need to know: The new location is still in Mooresville and will offer the same ENT, allergy and audiology care, plus expanded eye services like routine exams and glaucoma care.

Book an appointment.

Long before Tricia Cotham, the first North Carolina state lawmaker to switch parties was a senator — as part of a plan called "Operation Switchover." (NC Rabbit Hole)

House Speaker Tim Moore visited Ukraine over the legislature's spring break last week. (Charlotte Observer 🔒)

• He met with Save Our Allies, an organization supported by Charlotte-based The Independence Fund, on the visit.

North Carolina U.S. Sen. Ted Budd endorsed former President Trump in his third run for office. He's the seventh Republican senator to do so. (The Hill)

Residents displaced from the Magnolia Senior Apartments in December after the complex flooded have to move for a third time to a hotel in Huntersville. (WFAE)

Two people were seriously injured in a shooting Sunday afternoon at Romare Bearden Park. (WBTV)

What the Fries has started a GoFundMe to help with the cost of a new building or truck, as well as medical expenses after the owners got into an accident with the food truck.

• The food truck and restaurant closed within the same month. (Axios)

News you can use from our partners.

• 🍓Strawberry season is upon us — and the time for tomatoes, berries and peaches is right around the corner. Plan a day to pick your own produce at one of the farms in South Carolina’s Olde English District.
• 🪄Wish you could wave a magic wand for a delicious, chef-prepared meal? Ordering from Table & Twine’s meal delivery service is just about that easy.
• 🚗 Feeling lucky? A $6 raffle ticket from Charlotte Country Day School could win you a $30,000 credit for a new or used vehicle from Williams Buick GMC and Williams Subaru.

Two highly-anticipated food spots are opening today: Urban District Market and State of Confusion.

Details: State of Confusion, from the same owners as STIR in South End, opens at 11am. The restaurant and bar features cocktails and a fusion of Latin American, New Orleanian and low-country fare.

• Urban District Market is a new food hall that’ll house 12 restaurants and a soju distillery called LaBARatory. Six of Urban District Market’s 13 tenants will open today from 4-11pm.

💭 Laura's thought bubble: If food is a measure of cultural growth, then Charlotte is on the up and up.