You're listening to the running around Charlotte podcast presented by the Health Charlotte Marathon. 1 day 5 events with a race day distance for every goal and pace. Find out more or register at run charlotte dot com. The running around Charlotte Podcast is brought to you by our partners at Nova Health Orthopedic. Runners like you are always on the move. Twisted ankles and broken bones can't wait, and
neither should you. Nova Health offers walk in appointments and same day care at select orthopedic clinics to help you get back on pace. Visit nova health dot org slash ortho now to learn more. Now, here are your hosts for the running around Charlotte podcast, Tim Rhodes and Dc casey. Head to the start of most any event, pop into most any running shop or join in on more and more club runs, and you'll see more faces, and paces, sizes, colors
and shapes of runners than ever before. That's a beautiful thing for the running community and for runners themselves running has never been a more diverse universe, and there's plenty of room to grow. People of color make up an amazing 40 percent of runners in the fast growing 18 to 24 age group. I'm gonna repeat that because that's important. 40 percent of runners in the fast growing 18 to 24,
age group are now people of color. This is an exciting trend for running, of course, but also for folks who can now see that the running community is for them 2. Like us and I'll get to the end of this in a minute. He's long intro, man. Like us, our next guest on the show has seen that change first hand here in Charlotte and the local running scene. And we... He's helping welcome new runners into the community as a Nova health Charlotte marathon ambassador. His name is Darius Moore.
You probably know him. And if you don't know them, you've probably seen him around Darius welcome to the show. How are you doing? Doing great guys. Appreciate. That was a great intro by the way. Well, it's it's the longest. So you've got a record now for the longest intro on the running around trail podcast. Well deserved that we're all time. Yeah. Well engineer. Thank you. Thank you. Like, I I'm not saying drew. I'm not saying you're old, but but you're old you're even. No. But you're...
But you're because I mean, Tim and I old. But you're Og Charlotte running, man. And if people don't know you yet. It's like. They will. Right at some point. So for for both of our list I'm meet them. Exactly for both of our listeners who don't know you yet. Go ahead and tell us who you are and what you're up to man. Absolutely, man. Right first off, I'm a avid runner. I love what the community of running. I've been... I'd say affiliated with the community about, 14, 15 years now.
First got started working with tim at room for your life. And I first met tim. I think at 1 of his races, and I just wanted to learn, like, about the industry and, like, what tools to use and he was a great resource in that regard, and we were able to, grow some stores and do some great things together, And then I've also, worked with Crc, and they've been great over there and, you know, they're growing as well.
So kind from that standpoint, I've coached cross country, high school, middle school, I teach full time middle school now. So doing that, and I go to tons of run clubs. I remember when Not brewery had the only run Club in Charlotte, and we were like. Wow. Gosh. It was in saying. And I remember being there, like, just represent Run for your life I would set up a table. You know, we market the races, market the products and we go run, and it was like a
race every Wednesday because of the numbers. Like, it would look like 2 300 people sometimes it's tiny little... Water and hole right there on a og g note. And to now see, what is blossom into is, like, you've got you know, numbers like mad miles on Tuesdays, their numbers phenomenal every single week. You've got you wooden robot on Tuesdays, which is great in South end. And I've seen them blow
up and great things over there. And then I'm just seeing a community blow up from Last say, the past 14, 15 years is it's been outstanding. That's amazing. Yeah. I mean, it's. And and and there are. Like, if if you can't find a group to run with in Charlotte, you Nathan. Oh, yeah. They are every Right? Every day in the week. Like you say it used to be just on Wednesdays and nod. And then there were a couple more and they were like, yeah, Wednesday is apparently, a run club day. And then Yep.
Slow not even slowly. It seemed like in a matter of just a couple of years. There was 1. Every night, and now there are multiple on every night. And now there... And now they're starting to go, okay. Maybe the night time is not the only time. Now there are plenty of morning running. Yeah. And it's like, wow. Mh. And I think 1 of the coolest things about it it's not only
to your point, if you're not... If you can't find what you're not looking, but the other point of that is the number and size and shape and color and diversity of folks that are out there at these run clubs at these races, at the running stores and all that stuff, it's really becoming more and more and more and more reflective of the community as a whole and not just what people think the running community looks like. Right? Yeah. Yeah. And that's been fun to see.
Because I do remember, like, once upon a time before, you know, we had entities like Black runs, Yeah. And bad miles and... Run Latinos, and, you know, the the efforts always there. Like, I've worked with him on promoting races and it... And it's never been, like, oh we only go to certain neighborhoods. Or oh, we only promote 30 bit. Yeah. Tim has always been open to us, going wherever we could fill a need. You know, if if if if it was going to bank of America and, you know, setting
up a table. I remember me, an old manager Justin Ka goliath, we went to alive at the 5, and that was, like, basically a big party Yeah. On the rooftop of the epicenter. And we were marketing for room for your life and, you know, marketing for at the time it was thunder road and, you know, then Nova came in and we got the Charlotte marathon, but, you know, we've always again tried to diversify, And I've always tried to... You know, put that at the forefront. And because I
know what it did for me. I know what running did for me and being a part of community did for me health wise, and I just always wanna, you know, show people like, look, there is another way. And I love, you know, what I'm seeing. And, like I said, you see all these big groups coming up and everybody kinda together and Charlotte Running club themselves kinda being more, but, Mh. I think we'll being more involved in the community as well. And because I remember being on the board years ago, and we
were... Again, trying to push for those things. And now I think, seeing it happen is like, huge. Like those little shook green way, runs they put together a magnificent, and now they go to the north side on Mall la Creek Green and those are huge. So It's really... It's really nice to see all the options that are coming out.
Yeah. And and in and and when Tim and I were at, running Usa back in January, you know, there was a lot of talk about, and a lot of speakers that were talking about, you know, how you have to change and how you have to, you know, not change about how you see what you're doing, but how you have to actually do some things to Mh. Let other people know that they're welcome here. And it's... But even super
simple things. Like, hey, if I don't see myself as a person of color as a woman or you know, person who's gender fluid or whatever. If I don't see myself even in the marketing of what you're talking about, then I'm probably gonna see myself in real life, at an event or at your store or at your run club or whatever. And I think, mh. You know, the industry kind of being more cognizant of that at the same time, with, you know, with... I hate to keep I don't use the
word with the pandemic. You know, it's like... And and so many people coming to running, I think this... Is such an incredible time for, especially for people like you who've put in the work for 14, 15 years. They you're like. Now that change is coming. Oh, yeah. And and some of it's here
right now. Like, Tim said with the, you know, 40 percent of, you know, runners in a very desirable age bracket, which speaks volumes for the future of running that 40 percent of that growing age bracket is people of color. Yeah. That's an amazing step. Yeah. I gotta cure back. We just school about it Right It's like it's like it looks like and those are those are things that that speak to, you know, everything that's going on,
you know, as far as... What the community that Charlotte is not, you know, any different from a lot of fast growing communities in that it's not just, you know, 1 kind of person moving here. It's all kinds of people moving here. All colors, all shapes and sizes, all, you know, potentially interested in wanting to persist participate in the running community. Right? Yep. Oh, yeah. When
people wanna belong. You know, I think that, you know, it's the bottom line of it people wanna feel like they belong to something and they're safe and Yeah. They're seeing and they're valued. And if you can give them simple things like that. I, you know, I think that goes miles. Yeah. No pun data. Goes miles. That's right. Yep. So
I, you know, and III... You know, we talk about the the health benefits and and, you know, for the African American community and the latino community there Summit additional, health risks, you know, with diabetes and other other things that III just think it's so important for for everyone to be able to have an opportunity to your point, it's not just I wanna go run. It's I wanna belong to a community I want somebody to smile when I show up and say, I'm glad
you're here. Thanks for coming back. So, you know, you opening those doors for people to walk through and walk into a community. I... I'm... I mean, I see it happen in the Mad miles, black men run black, girls run. I mean, it's just... I... I'm proud of it. I I don't have a ton to do with it, but I I'm proud of it because because it means something to our community. Yep. And it connects on that personal level. Right? I mean, you're you're... You're giving value
and credibility to somebody. You're affirming like, hey. I'm glad you're here. You belong. I don't care what color you are. I don't care what shape you are. I don't care how fast you run. I don't care if you walk. I'm glad you're here. Yeah. And I think those are the bigger things. Like, when you talk about the pioneers of, you know, the running community right now, Like, the future in really good hands where know, again, you know, like, we started to show. We're kind of Og geez in this
game. We've been doing it a long time. You guys longer than me, of course. But you just watching people, and I, you know, drop a few names. Again, Corn Jones would be Bad miles. It's done a fantastic job. Cj Lang, who is again, on the board of Directors of Crc. You got Eric Smith. You've got they have Dan. You got Angela Angela. Don't wanna mess her last name but she leaves run for midtown with me. Angela Nap. Yes. Mh. And you you got the morning run club, which is an all female layer run club.
I forget the lady leave that. But you have all these leaders and to look at them and, and how passionate they are, and we didn't see these faces, you know, 14, 15 years ago, but they're coming in. They're coming in. They're coming in strong. They're coming in, well equipped, well informed, and it's really exciting to see. Like, it's really, like me.
I remember when I was doing it and they it was just all about, you know, getting to the start line, training good, get to the start line, you know, maybe we hang out at a store or brewery every once in a while, but I don't think we had is... I don't think the comrade was as, what can I say as extensive as this? Like, I don't think we Brent we we were network as well. We were cohesive.
Were like... I think we were a little more competitive in that way, where I remember meeting with, you know, people like Billy shoe and him man when he first got here and jeff Barb and we would run, you know, more hit or we made at deal work, and the Ryan Mills of the world and I remember, what 5 are, and we would run and, you know, you'd be super fast every Saturday. And Oh, no. And now it it feels like it's more family. Now it feels
like, you know, people are haven't. Kids now allowed you got Franklin Keith lee and Paula P. Mh. You know, with their future Olympia that'll that are coming out. And, you know, I'm having a kid now. I mean, he tim prices. Tim practically watching me raised bread in his stores, you know what Judy too. So it's like, even for him to like, hit. I know how it is, but pretend like hit. Oh, man Had another 1, like... Be doing it again. Yeah. Because he watched
me with Brie. I was always so, hands on with her and, not for nothing, Tim. I saw, you know, you with your family, and I saw others with theirs and you know, just 2 great dads right now on the podcast respect for you guys. And so watching you guys, Was like, yeah, I gotta really being my daughter's ear. Like I gotta be with her. I gotta check on and she
would come out. And, you know, So now I'll get to do it again, and, you know, she'll be raised around some great great great runners and incredible runner kids too. I think you brought up a good point, and I think there was a time not so long ago where Charlotte was a little bit tribal and territorial with their clubs. Like, I run with this club, but I can't go run with that club. I shop at this store, but I can't shop at that store. I... I'm with this training group, but
I won't... And it was competitive, and it was a little bit. Of rivalry, and I I don't know that that served our running community well, and I always felt like there was this tension that didn't belong in the equation. And it's like, I'm so glad to hear you say that now some of that competitiveness has been set aside for the betterment running me. I think we all all all thrive when we try to support each other So I I think that's a good thing. I'm glad to hear that.
Yeah. III mean, I have to take accountability just being... Sure. From that air or, like, I definitely felt that way. Like, I wouldn't... If I felt like, okay, I've got my run club on Wednesday, I'm probably not gonna go to another 1. Yeah. You know what I mean Just Yeah. You know? And yeah, that was a problem. Like, we should've we should have hopped on this thing, you know, way earlier, but... You know, again, it's here, and it's it's a beautiful thing that's
happening. And, you know, especially at the races when you watch, you our pacing teams, like our pacing teams are so solid and they're, they're all pivotal in the growth of the community. If you look at the faces of our pace now. At Lisa Land and Eric's... You know, Eric Smith are doing a great job with that. Yeah, man. It's it's it's wonderful to see. It's wonderful to see Yeah. I wanna change the focus a little bit. I wanna talk about you. You you're running.
I see you I see you out. And I'm out ride my bike measure course horse doing whatever. Invariably I run into you with your... 1 of your training groups or whatever, but you run a lot of races too, and you've had a chance to run not just in or North America, but in other countries and continents, tell us tell us some of your highlights. I'd I'd brag on yourself there for a minute. A little bit. Yeah. I... Okay. Reg on me. So I've done did Tokyo this year. That was a big
1 for me. Wow. In Tokyo was always been like a bucket listings since I was a kid just being into a anime. And Finding... I think because I grew up, you know, in the city youth in Charlotte, like, the introduction of Anime was kinda like that escape like, I wasn't doing a ton of traveling at that age. So that, you know, that was nice. And the culture was amazing. Like, it was a trip that I would... I've I've echoed it, I would suggest to any. It was it was simply amazing. I wish
I had more time. I was able to get maybe a week over there, but it was great. I ran my race. It wasn't the best time, but it was because I was having a good time. If I would've went there to, like, race it, I don't think I would've enjoyed it as much. Yeah. So I was happy with my... I I went think 03:56, maybe 03:57. But You know, it was a good time. I love Japan, and then I've done... What I was done New York. I've done Chicago.
I've done grandma, which I... I like that 1 because I've got my 2 fast marathon times at grandma's in duluth, Minnesota. I just went up there and worked for, destination marathons. What was that last weekend. I was up there. You we worked the race and had a great time. The Olympic trial champion, Dakota Win Lin. Lin Lin. Yep. So she's been with us The past 2 times I've gone in race and then she was with us this year and her goal is to go sub 01:10 and a half, and she got, like, a 01:08.
And some change. So... Have ridiculous man. Yeah. At least she was out there. My god. Oh, yeah. And brag, just to brag on her. She had, like, Kt tape on her ham. I'm like, man. She's she's I hip pushing, it was great to see her at, like, mile, think I saw at my 11.211 0.3. But, yeah, I run... I do love my races, man. I'm trying to get all 6 majors. I, I should have Berlin in September on the 20 ninth. So I'll be doing that. I'm a actually raising money for a What is it a wildlife?
What's going on altogether? For a wildlife conservation effort. And, What are we doing with that? Oh, I went vegetarian. And that's I was linking this in. So April first, I went vegetarian to support that, and I'm raising money for that so I can go to the Berlin. And I'll run that September 20 ninth. Right on, man. Make sure you send me the link on that. We'll put it in the show notes so folks can check on that as well, man. Awesome. Thank you. I would...
Donate money to Darius is cause there and help them get to Berlin. Exactly. Alright. I appreciate you guys, ma'am. It's totally, man. Well... And and that's... And and as it relates to that, I I wanna get back to the the... The 10000 foot topic real quick before we let you run though. It's like, it's like it's like for somebody like you who has been doing the the hand to hand combat on, you know, blurb like you said, 14 15 years of bringing new people into the fold. You know, that's
that's 1 thing. And then, you know, this is 1 of the positives of social media is folks can... Without even being there, they can see themselves at these races, at these run clubs, at these events, and go, you know what? People like darius weren't kidding. I really can see myself and should see myself at stuff like that. That's gotta make that's gotta make a dude like you who's Thank you Said done the done the boots on the ground work feel Like, see, I told you y'all. Yeah.
Oh, yeah. I mean, especially thinking, you know, I'm a Charlotte. And I'm local from here, My family goes back generations and, you know, the thing, the the status quo were all unicorns. Like, oh, you guys are so rare. Soon as they find that I'm from here. And I'm like yeah. Like I can still show you where my my mom's, mom's house, my grandmother's house is, she lived in 49 years. Wow. So I can... I've lived, all over the city and, you know, being
from here. And I remember, again, 14, 15 years ago trying to gal, you the city in some way, at least people of color a way of to come to these events because I fell in love with it. And I was like, I know this is right. Like, I know this is healthy. Know this will benefit them. I just don't know how... Because, again, I wasn't a big social light in school. So it wasn't like I was like, the most popular
guy. I was just like, I knew people, and people got along with me and I knew I was charismatic to an extent, but I didn't know how to
gal when I was groups will. And so I end up going to college and I took public speaking courses, while I was working around free life, and that helped, So I think that's what helped me, like, start my own run clubs and help support others and start to do those things, but it was still difficult to go to my neighborhood, try to reach out to entities like park and rick and try to show them the value in what I was doing, and still make a living because I've got bills to
pay. Have I've got a new wife, and I've got my daughter, and I've got my step daughter and it was just tough to figure out how that... What what those happy mediums were. Damn. But now that I'm seeing, like, I mean... Again to your point, I loved seeing it. And it was so so worth to work, and I know it's I know it's gonna be great going forward, seeing indeed, and it's great having you on board, dude, and I'm so excited that you're again, part of the Nova Hell charlotte ambassador squad.
Appreciate, man. Yeah. Thank you, Darius. Speak too him. Thank you guys. Thank brother. Thanks for taking the time today, buddy. See you later. Alrighty. Yeah you have a great day. Alright, man. The running around Charlotte podcast is presented by the Nova Health Charlotte Marathon. Running around Charlotte is produced in partnership with well run media and marketing. New episodes are available every week. Anywhere you listen to podcast.