Episodes

The idea of running as fast or as far as you can without stopping is often enough to keep some folks from ever starting. But getting into running – and actually getting better at it – doesn’t have to be “all gas, no brakes.” (That’s brakes as in BRAKES.) Our friend Kristin Smith wants everyone to know how walking breaks have made her a better, healthier runner. Not only is she improving her finish times, she’s having a GREAT time doing it. And, she’s found the running community that’s just as fu...

No runner’s journey is the same. For some of us, building up to a couple of miles is the most we’ll ever want to do. For others, it may be to see how fast or far our legs can take us. For others still, it’s a particular event or distance that serves as our goal. Or… somewhere in between. Either way, we may never know how far running can take us. Rebecca Green made quick work of finding out how far she was willing to go. In a year, she went from “new runner” to “ultra runner.” And she didn’t let ...

Yeah, this show is called The Running Around Charlotte Podcast, but we’ve literally got listeners all over the world. (Apparently both of our listeners do a ton of traveling? Seriously though, it’s great to have listeners and friends and running buddies all over the place. It makes running in a new place that much better when you’re with someone who knows the area, knows the best routes — and knows where all the secret bathroom stops are located. Just in case. Erin Vinson is THAT kind of perso...

Ever heard of a “backyard ultra?” It’s actually a real thing. It’s not a forever-long session of chores in the lawn, but an actual event format. It’s kind of like a “last one standing” race, where competitors must consecutively run the distance of 4.167 miles (6.706 kilometers) in less than one hour. There’s no predetermined distance or time in a backyard ultra, so rest and fueling are also a big part of the game. On this episode of The Running Around Charlotte Podcast, presented by Novant Heal...

If you’ve been running around Charlotte at all – and particularly at events in and around town – you’ve probably run into some of our Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassadors. They’re you’re ticket to discounts on events all year long, of course, and there’s more to it than that. They want you make you welcome to the greater running community. The program’s been such a bonus, we’ve DOUBLED the ranks for 2024. Lindsey McGee is leading up the progam for us this year… and she’s our guest on thi...

Our next guest on The Running Around Charlotte Podcast says she has lived – and continues to live – a big, unapologetic life. Wow! Wouldn’t we all love to say the same. She’s an author, speaker, motivator, LISTENER, new grandmother, and more. She’s an activist, a firebrand – in the best sense of the word, and a beautiful friend. And she’s also the founder of Girls on the Run. I am over the moon to welcome Molly Barker to the Running Around Charlotte Podcast!

One of the most exciting things happening in running these days is that we see more and more diversity in the sport. And that’s a beautiful thing. Look around at the starting line of an event… take a run on a local greenway… and you’ll see more and more people that look like the melting pot that is our community. And, more and more of these under-represented runners are showing their peers that they, too, have a place in the larger running community. Our next guest on The Running Around Charlott...

We talk a lot here on the program about giving your miles meaning – and we talk to a LOT of runners who do just that. Jimmy Coleman is one of those runners. He tackled a 50-mile route that took him to five Catholic churches here in Charlotte for what he described as his “Adoration Ultra.” He said in one interview that he’d been looking for a way to fuse his faith and his fitness journey… and if you ask us, he seems to have found a way. Jimmy, welcome to the Running Around Charlotte Podcast!

One of the MANY things we love about running around Charlotte, is that you don’t have to look too far to find someone who’ll join you. There seems to be a run club or meet-up every day of the week, in most any part of town! We’re happy to introduce you to a new-to-us running club called, Charlotte Runners United. Their first run together was just over a year ago, and they’re still at it! Phill Reed is the name and face you’ll see often on the Club’s Instagram. And he’s our guest today on The Run...

One of the things we LOVE about running around Charlotte is how clean the city is. Bring someone in from out of town, and it’s generally one of the things they notice. That, and how many people seem to be running in this town… But with more than 100 people moving here every day, that means a little more trash every day, too. And it starts to add up. Runners being runners, you know we’re going to figure out a way to fix that – and get a couple of miles in along the way. Rebeca Ehrnrooth is our gu...

As we’ve said before on the program, for every runner joining us at the start of the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon… there’s a backstory they carry along with them. Our guest today on The Running Around Charlotte Podcast is one of those runners — and he has one of those stories. Jeffrey Hudnall told us he got into running because he wanted to be better tomorrow than he is today. And once you hear the rest of his story, we think you’ll agree—he really is!

As we have said many times on this program, for every one of the THOUSANDS who run with us at the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon… there are thousands of reasons “why.” Taylor Christie is one of the runners who shared their “why” with us, and graciously agreed to share that story with us here on the Running Around Charlotte Podcast. Taylor and Taylor, thanks for being on the program!

Our next guest on the Running Around Charlotte Podcast is a name some OG Charlotte runners may remember. Quite honestly, we’re surprised we’re just now getting him on the program! Jay Holder is the Executive Director of Running USA—a relatively new role for him. He’s the former VP of the Atlanta Track Club, a former professional journalist, and collegiate runner. And, another item he can add to that LinedIn profile: guest on the Running Around Charlotte Podcast! Jay welcome to the show!

Maybe you’ve seen our next guest running around Charlotte… if you have, she was probably a blur, anyway. Stephanie “Pezz” Pezzullo is fast. Like, Olympic Trials fast. And she wants to help you be fast, too. But that’s just part of the Pezz story. There’s running, there’s family trauma, there’s a dog – and more running. Stephanie, welcome to the Running Around Charlotte Podcast!

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...

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...

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...

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!

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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...