Photos courtesy of www.asiphoto.com

Official car photo, please include caption: “The Thunder Road NASCAR Cup Show Car will be on display at the 2011 Thunder Road Marathon Health & Wellness Expo, and at the finish line, courtesy of Comp-Cal.”

 

Course Description

In addition to the challenge of running 26.2 miles, the Thunder Road Marathon will feature a mixture of the old and the new in Charlotte. From the start, in the heart of uptown Charlotte, you will quickly transition away from town on Randolph and Providence roads.

You will be heading back to uptown after touring the oak-lined Foxcroft community near Sharon Road and Arbor Way. As you near the uptown area, you will pass through historic Myers Park, where you will see Queens Road meet Queens Road (West). Then it’s on to the edge of the revitalized Dilworth community, and then through the South End before catching a glimpse of Bank of America Stadium, home to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.

Now it’s time to travel through the energetic North Davidson area (NoDa to Charlotteans), where people find a rich diversity of art, music and night life.

From NoDa, you will turn back after running along 35th Street, and then come back toward uptown with a view of the historic Plaza-Midwood area, where early settlers to Charlotte made their homes.

You are nearing the home stretch as you travel on one of the oldest thoroughfares in Charlotte, Central Avenue.

As you turn right onto 7th Street and its wide array of restaurants and antique shops, you will know that your journey has almost concluded.

A short journey on McDowell and a right turn on 2nd Street bring you to the coveted finish, where you will be greeted by cheering spectators, a finisher’s medal and the satisfaction of knowing you have completed the Thunder Road Marathon.

NEIGHBORHOOD CHALLENGE

We can’t give out their secrets yet, but keep an eye out for these neighborhoods as they compete for Best Crowd Support:

 

Mile 12ish – Historic Dilworth will be a cheering extravaganza where the half-marathons split from the full marathoners to finish the race

Mile 16ish – Third Ward will show you what an uptown block party looks like

Mile 20ish – NoDa comes through just when most runners are hitting “the wall”

Mile 23ish – Plaza-Midwood will no doubt show you how to party just miles from the finish

THUNDER ROAD MARATHON Packet Pick-Up AND Expo

Location

Packet pick-up will run during the Thunder Road Marathon Health & Wellness Expo held at the Charlotte Convention Center.

 

Hours

Thursday, Nov. 10, 5-9 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

There will be NO race-day packet pick-up. ID is required for packet pick-up.

 

Directions

Directions from Interstate 85

Driving south from points north of Charlotte:

  • Take Brookshire Freeway (Highway 16 South), Exit 36.
  • Merge right onto the I-277 loop (John Belk Freeway).
  • Take Stonewall Street, Exit 1E.
  • Turn left onto Stonewall Street and proceed three blocks.
  • The Charlotte Convention Center will be on your right after you cross Brevard Street.

Driving north from points south of Charlotte:

  • Take Little Rock Road, Exit 32.
  • Turn right at the bottom of the ramp.
  • Turn right at the first traffic light.
  • Turn left at the second traffic light onto Wilkinson Boulevard (Highway 74 East).
  • Follow Wilkinson Boulevard as it becomes the I-277 loop (John Belk Freeway).
  • Take College Street, Exit 1E.
  • The Charlotte Convention Center will be on your right after you cross Stonewall Street.

Directions from I-77

Driving south from points north of Charlotte:

  • Take the 1–277 loop (John Belk Freeway), Exit 9.
  • Take College Street, Exit 1E.
  • The Charlotte Convention Center will be on your right after you cross Stonewall Street.

Driving north from points south of Charlotte:

  • Take the 1–277 loop (John Belk Freeway), Exit 9B.
  • Take College Street, Exit 1E.
  • The Charlotte Convention Center will be on your right after you cross Stonewall Street.

There are two entrances to the Charlotte Convention Center; one is located on College Street, and the other is on East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The NASCAR Hall of Fame parking deck, located on South Brevard Street, is also connected to the Charlotte Convention Center via a convenient over-street walkway.

 

Spectator Info

Spectators can purchase VIP Finish Line Seating. Don’t miss this opportunity to see your loved ones finish! VIP Finish Line Seating includes reserved seating at and exclusive views of the finish line, access to the heated VIP tent, use of heated restrooms, and a snack bar with food and drinks. Price is $30.  

 

For views along the course, check www.runcharlotte.com’s Entertainment & Spectator page. You will be able to see the entertainment and party locations along the course, all of which welcome you to join in the fun.

 

On-Course Nutrition

Water Stations

Diamond Springs water stops at miles 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23.5 and 25

 

Electrolytes

Gatorade at miles 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23.5 and 25

 

Energy Stations

Cliff SHOT BLOKS for the course at miles 16 and 20

 

Portable toilets will be stationed at the water stations about every two miles along the course.

 

Other Distances

Amica Insurance Half-Marathon starts with and runs alongside the marathon.

 

Presbyterian Hospital 5k is a 3.1-mile fun run starting 30 minutes after the half and full.

 

Participant Quotes

Courtesy of Marathonguide.com

 

“Great event. Charlotte Marathon has a gem that is under most people’s radar, and I expect this to grow in size and popularity over the next few years. This has everything done well: great organization, water-stop frequency, fuel stops, course markings, etc. Not one complaint from me. I’m putting this on my 2011 calendar for sure, and look forward to an even greater event.” – P.M. from Virginia

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“I really enjoyed it – my favorite marathon out of the six I have completed. Large enough to be interesting but not overwhelming like MCM. … I found enough lively, friendly spectators, some partying on their lawns and passing out beers. Thank you! DJs and bands at key points helped me get up the hills. … Really a great run. I highly recommend it!: – S.F. from Boston

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“2010 was a great year. The course was very runner-friendly, with rolling hills – nothing too difficult or exhausting. The volunteers were all terrific and traffic control was flawless. The expo was nice, with plenty of variety and freebies. The finish line had plenty of food and beverages available. … Overall, I enjoyed the 2010 Thunder Road Marathon and look forward to its new November date. Just don’t change the course!” – M.L. from Tampa, Fla.

 

NEW IN 2011

New Balance Hot Pass VIP Package – $99

 

For a Thunder Road experience that’s fast, fun and second-to-none, the Hot Pass is your personalized ticket to a race weekend jam-packed with perks. Your Hot Pass opens the door to first-class benefits that best even those of the pros and VIPs, but it is limited to a select number of marathon and half-marathon entrants, so sign up for yours today.

 

Hot Pass tickets include:

 

• Packet pick-up express lane at the marathon expo

• Copy of Dick Beardsley’s Book “Staying the Course” with a personalized autograph

• Private pasta carb-up dinner with Dick Beardsley Friday night

• One complimentary ticket to the VIP finish line area for Hot Pass participant

• Private stretching area on race day with a pre-race word of encouragement from Dick Beardsley

• Private pre-race restrooms (not portable toilets)

• Escort to the start line area with room reserved for you in your corral

• Personal bag check at starting line and available at finish line with no waiting