In case you missed the big news, Run Charlotte and Recover Brands are teaming-up starting this year provide runners with event tees, official merchandise, and more – with less of an environmental impact. Runners will see this partnership come to life with the first of our Run Charlotte events – the Novant Health Lucky Day 7k – then, all the way through the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. And that’s just part of the story. Bill Johnston is the founder of Recover Brands, and he’s our guest today...
Mar 07, 2024•21 min
As we have said – and heard – many times on this program, EVERYONE has their reason to run. We checked in with this year’s Novant Health Charlotte Marathon participants and asked them why THEY run with us. Many of you were happy to share your stories with us, including Jurgen Buchenau, who wrote this to us: This marathon will be the tenth time I have run this race as a long-time Charlotte resident, and my twelfth marathon overall. From my first Charlotte marathon as a 41-year-old in 2005 to this...
Feb 29, 2024•19 min
Motivation takes many forms, especially for runners. Whether we’re trying to get faster, or just get off the couch, or somewhere in between, there’s some place for every kind of runner. Our next guest had a pretty serious wake-up call that moved him into the running ranks. And after years of smoking, he went cold turkey on the smokes and is now full-tilt on the running. He finished the half at this year’s Novant Health Charlotte Marathon weekend… on his quest to 50 states. He’s our guest today o...
Feb 22, 2024•20 min
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. and the “Get Your Rear In Gear” run is designed to raise awareness and money for area colon cancer patients and screenings. Robert Stricklin, a colon cancer survivor from right here in Charlotte, He helps to organize the local event which is not just about running, but also making it easier for folks to talk about cancer that affects a pretty “private” part of the body. Robert, welcome to the Running Around Charlotte podcast!
Feb 15, 2024•22 min
As of this recording, we are just back from our annual pilgrimage to Running USA – the trade show for the running and endurance events industry. Yes, it’s great to catch up with folks in the business and check the greater pulse of the industry as a whole. It’s even better to bring information back that can help us bring a better experience to runners like you. One of the teams that keeps tabs on the big picture of the industry is our partner, Run Signup. They’ve just published their annual indus...
Feb 09, 2024•33 min
The marathon starting line is FULL of stories about how and why people got there, and we’re always fishing for ones that will inspire, motivate, and entertain folks. When we asked this year’s Novant Health Charlotte Marathon participants who’d be willing to share THEIR stories… we were flooded with responses. Our next guest on the Running Around Charlotte podcast is one of those who answered our call. Introducing himself as THE AMAZING WINSTON WATSON – in all caps – we knew we’d have to get him ...
Jan 31, 2024•25 min
This is the time of year when many of us make resolutions or other promises to be better and do better. The numbers prove, most of us won’t make those resolutions happen. That doesn’t mean we’re “bad,” or that we’re “failures.” It often means we didn’t have a “why,” or a proper support system to set us up for success. Ronald Rule found his “why,” AND the support system to help him get healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually. So before you go giving up on your plans for the new year, stick ...
Jan 25, 2024•23 min
Everyone has their own reasons for running. Some of us keep our reasons to ourselves… others have the opportunity to share their stories, never knowing the impact they can have on other people. Taylor Barefoot took advantage of a unique opportunity ahead of this year’s Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, when she allowed the Charlotte Observer to tell HER story in advance of her first marathon. Maybe you read it? She overcame more than just the training schedule and her role as a pastor at one of ...
Jan 18, 2024•22 min
Despite the performance of some of our local teams of late, we think it’s still fair to say Charlotte is a sports town. There’s plenty to prove that; from pro teams to Division 1, 2, and 3 college sports in the area… to the busy fields, gyms, pools, and races. Sports is big business, too. Generating MILLIONS of dollars in direct spending and local economic impact. And don’t get us started on the impact sports plays in the nonprofit space. One of the drivers behind some of that impact is The Char...
Jan 11, 2024•23 min
The Charlotte running community continues to evolve. And with it, so do the many area events, run clubs, retailers, and so on who serve that community. The Charlotte Running Club is changing, too. Not only has the Club grown along with the community, it’s finding more ways to be a PART of that community. Another change is at the top of the club, where Philip Sanford is the new president. Philip, welcome to The Running Around Charlotte Podcast.
Jan 04, 2024•25 min
The Charlotte running store scene is changing again. Maybe you’ve even noticed a new sign there on Providence Road at the site of the former UltraRunning Company. Our next guest on the Running Around Charlotte Podcast has the scoop on that… Brett Albers is the operating partner for Fleet Feet here in Charlotte and Fort Mill. Brett welcome to the show.
Dec 28, 2023•19 min
There’s nothing like running in your own hometown. Waking up in your own bed. Enjoying breakfast in your own kitchen. Coming home to crash on your own couch… you get it. It’s also pretty cool to run an out-of-town event, and traveling to someplace you’ve never been, and experiencing everything that “different” place has to offer. But there is, of course, the headaches that come with all of that “unknown territory.” And that’s where Mark Janik saw an opportunity. Mark, welcome to the Running Arou...
Dec 21, 2023•25 min
We’ve talked to many a guest here on The Running Around Charlotte Podcast who’ve shared stories about how running helped them meet new people. Our next guest is on the program has a little bit of that to her story… and she’s also paying it forward, helping folks AND their dogs make new friends. Lindsey McGee has managed to mix a few things she’s very passionate about, and turn them into an award-winning new business. Lindsey welcome to the Running Around Charlotte Podcast!
Dec 14, 2023•23 min
Our next guest on The Running Around Charlotte Podcast “might” have one of the coolest jobs going. Chatting it up with celebrities, getting the good seats and backstage passes to ALL the big shows… or meeting and writing about “regular” people with incredible -- and sometimes heartbreaking -- stories. Théoden Janes is an Ironman, Boston marathon finisher, and then some. He’s also a father, husband, and lifestyle and entertainment writer for the Charlotte Observer.
Dec 08, 2023•22 min
There is something to be said about consistency. Like “The Rock” said, “success isn’t always about greatness… it’s about consistency.” “Consistent” is truly a word we can use to describe our next guest here on The Running Around Charlotte Podcast. In fact, he’s been a part of this event almost as long as we have! Dave Behrens has run EVERY iteration of the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon… and he’s back again this year for a run at making it 19 in a row. Dave, welcome to the program!
Nov 30, 2023•23 min
As the saying goes, “Girls on the Run is so much fun.” But the program is about a whole lot more than that. And, yes, it’s a whole lot more than just running, too. This homegrown program is truly one-of-kind, helping girls build the confidence, strength of character, and endurance to take on the world. Along the way, they’ll make new friends, and build healthy mental and physical habits that will truly last a lifetime. Karen Gipson is the Executive Director for Girls on the Run – Greater Charlot...
Nov 22, 2023•19 min
For folks who don’t know… Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital is the official beneficiary of the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. The Marathon is proud to raise awareness – and money -- for such an important and remarkable place in the Charlotte community. All that “remarkableness” doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Along with the medical team and staff, it takes folks dedicated to fundraising to make it happen. Amy McKinney is one of those dedicated people. She’s the philanthropy manager at the N...
Nov 16, 2023•22 min
Our first guest today was actually our very FIRST guest on The Running Around Charlotte Podcast. If you’ve been running around Charlotte at all, then you probably know Lisa Landrum. She’s the creator of the online and “in real life” community that is Run Charlotte Run. She’s the founder and head coach of Forward Motion. She’s a longtime pace team member here at the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. She’s also a mom, spouse, all-around good people, and a personal friend… Lisa Landrum, thanks for ...
Nov 09, 2023•22 min
There’s lots of new stuff happening at this year’s Novant Health Charlotte Marathon and Marathon Expo. For starters, we’re expecting a whole lot more of you — that’s exciting! From live music, barbecue, a new Expo location, and a LIVE broadcast recording of The Running Around Charlotte Podcast, it’ll be a jam-packed weekend for sure. Tim and DC hit the highlights on this week’s show.
Oct 27, 2023•20 min
Here’s a hot take for you: The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon has donated nearly $300,000 to Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital since 2013. Last year, we upped our donation goals with the launch of Team Hemby. This year, a Team of Charity Chasers joins the effort… and there’s an all-new initiative you may have seen… the Miracle Miles. Betsy Zarzour joins us today to give us the ins and outs on ALL these new programs, and how YOU can get involved.
Oct 19, 2023•17 min
If you feel you’ve “been there, done that” with your running, we’ve got a different kind of challenge for you. Running the half-marathon with a weighted backpack. You may have heard of “rucking” -- which is basically a form of military training where you run miles with a full backpack. In case you didn’t know, the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon has a Rucking Division in the half-marathon race, and on today’s Running Around Charlotte Podcast, our man Mike Sweeting joins us to explain more about...
Oct 12, 2023•24 min
One of the easiest ways to give back to your running community is to volunteer at a running event. There are lots of ways to do it, and most any kind of help is welcome. Arguably, one of THE most rewarding volunteer opportunities is serving as a pacer or pace team leader at an event. Guiding someone or a group of runners you might not know or ever see again… and getting them to the finish line for the first time or their best time. There’s really nothing like it. And once some runners get into t...
Oct 03, 2023•15 min
DC, do you have plans on Thursday night? Well, you do now… if you’ve yet to make it out to the Birdsong Run Club you’re missing out on ANOTHER excellent opportunity to do a little running around Charlotte. (See what I did there?) They meet Thursday nights at 6:30 at the taproom on North Davidson here in Charlotte. The Birdsong Run Club has a mix of a couple different routes, and some fun folks to run around with. We’ve got a couple of them right here on the program today!
Sep 26, 2023•18 min
Experience, they say, is the best instructor. Sharing that experience with others as a coach or teacher is a heck of a way to pay it forward. Here in Charlotte, we’re lucky enough to have LOTS of experienced coaches and guides willing to help runners of all kinds reach their goals. Angela Knepprath is one of those runners who do just that. She’s an experienced marathoner herself, a “Run Far” coach, and a newly-elected board member of the Charlotte Running Club. Even cooler, she’s our guest today...
Sep 19, 2023•17 min
Running is a lot of things to a lot of people. It’s a way to get or stay fit. It’s a way to unwind or get fired-up. It’s a way to get some “alone time,” or it’s a way to be around old friends and make new friends. Running is a way to connect with people and make a difference in many different ways. Ayumi Nagano is one of those people who seems to use running for ALL that it can be. She’s a mom, runner, coach, and activist … the kind of person you’d absolutely want in your corner. We’re excited s...
Sep 12, 2023•23 min
The running community is FULL of stories. From triumph to tragedy, success and failure… Some of our favorites are ones where running LITERALLY changes someone’s life. Today’s guest on The Running Around Charlotte Podcast has one of THOSE stories. Brad Pope says running SAVED his life, and he’s here to tell us about it. We won’t spoil this one for you, so let’s get right to it!
Sep 06, 2023•24 min
If you’re old enough, you probably remember the old school charity walks where donors would pledge a certain number of dollars for every lap you walked for charity. (Do they event still do that??) Either way, there’s a pair of runners who’ll put a new twist on that this year at the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. Jimmy Molina and Sunkul Soni are running as “charity chasers,” to gin up money for the Novant Healthy Hemby Children’s Hospital. And if you’re wondering how this whole “charity chaser...
Aug 29, 2023•19 min
If you’ve been running around Charlotte for any length of time – or swimming or cycling – you may know of our next guest. Dave Koontz is arguably THE OG in the Charlotte Trialthon scene. He and his wife, Sharon, have logged no telling how many miles around the globe training and competing for decades. After a 42 year career as an engineer at Duke Energy, Dave has retired from “that” kind of work, but he’s still an age group force to be reckoned in triathlon. He’s the publisher of the “Tri News” ...
Aug 22, 2023•20 min
Boston. Berlin. Tokyo. Chicago. New York. London. They’re not just great places to add to your passport. They’re home to some of the most prestigious marathons on the planet. Running one is something special. Running them all and earning the six-star, World Marathon Majors is a bucket list for many a runner. Charlotte’s Anthony Butler earned his sixth star in April at the London marathon. And he may very well hold another unique distinction: Butler is believed to be the only visually impaired ru...
Aug 15, 2023•20 min
Like we’ve heard countless times on this program, there are SO many reasons that we run. And many of us use our running as a vehicle to help others. The 2022 Running USA “Global Running Survey” shows that nearly 40-percent of runners are running FOR a cause. And their efforts add up to millions of dollars each year. Jessica Carranti is one of those runners. She’s a Novant Health Charlotte Marathon ambassador, a spouse, a mom, and a runner on a mission.
Aug 08, 2023
