Over 4,000 people will run in Charlotte Marathon events this year.

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. 

Charlotte Marathon course map. Photo courtesy of Charlotte Marathon

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.

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.