This year the Thunder Road Marathon’s keynote speaker is Charlotte resident Nicole Gross. Gross and her sister were victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. Proceeds from the pasta dinner will go to Be Strong Stay Strong, which celebrates the Gross Family Recovery. More details on the dinner and what it includes can be found on the website: www.runcharlotte.com/pastadinner.htm.
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 nightlife.
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 will be 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 will 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.
THUNDER ROAD MARATHON PACKET PICK-UP AND EXPO
Packet pick-up will run during the Thunder Road Marathon Health & Wellness Expo, held at the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel (formerly The Blake Hotel) in uptown Charlotte. Packet pick-up will be held on Friday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. in the Symphony Ballroom. There will be NO race-day packet pick-up. ID is required for packet pick-up.
The Sheraton Charlotte Hotel is also the host hotel of the marathon and there will be a free shuttle running from the airport to the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel on Friday.
SPECTATOR INFO
Spectators can purchase VIP Finish Line Seating. Don’t miss this opportunity to see your loved ones finish! The VIP Finish Line Area will be hosted by Chick-fil-A. 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. Tickets are $25 through Oct. 25 and can be purchased online as well as the day of the event.
You can see more details, including a list of all the amenities, at www.runcharlotte.com/vip-seating.htm.
Entertainment and Spectator Information: Details on entertainment acts and locations will be posted at www.runcharlotte.com by mid-October.
ON COURSE NUTRTION
Water Stations
There will be water stops at approximately miles 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23.5 and 25.
Electrolytes: Gatorade will be available at approximately miles 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23.5 and 25.
Energy Stations: Cliff SHOT BLOKS for the course will be available at approximately miles 16 and 20.
OTHER DISTANCES
• The Thunder Road Half-Marathon will start with and run alongside the marathon.
• The Thunder Road 5k is a 3.1-mile fun run starting 30 minutes after the half and full.
PARTICIPANT QUOTES – Courtesy of Marathonguide.com.
“Start and finish close to hotels. Loop course with no backtracking. Plentiful Porta Potties along course. Scenic and varied course. Enthusiastic spectators. Police department went above and beyond; they were out in force and many of them cheered us on when they could. You could see the finish coming from a distance so you could pace accordingly. Variety of food and drink at the end and places to sit if you had to. Only thing I would have preferred differently is gel instead of energy chews along the course.”
– C. K. from Illinois
“The race provided a shuttle from the airport to packet pick-up. This was a great idea and very much appreciated! Packet pick-up: very organized and plenty of gear or last-minute items available. Hotel: Nearby hotel was within walking distance of everyone and everyone was friendly. Race day: plenty of Porta Potties, organized start line, local shops allowed up to enter to stay warm. The race: absolutely scenic! Beautiful tree-lined streets, nice bands, spectators. The race is hilly and challenging, so practice hill work! The finish line was organized, plenty of food, drink and volunteers. Great race and I’d recommend it to any and everyone!”
– B. S. from Little Rock, Ark.
“This is my second Thunder Road. Ran with a pace group, extremely helpful. Well-organized from expo to finish line. Parking for the expo at 5 p.m. was difficult. Plenty of options for race-day parking, short walks from the start and finish. Thanks to the NoDa and Plaza neighborhoods! The mental energy boost helps during the tough 3-4 miles at the end. The course is challenging. Rolling hills along the way. If I remember correctly, miles 18-20 are a steady gradual incline … Lots of food and snack options at the end if you still have an appetite. I did find the beer truck! Shot blocks were difficult to open. Might consider going back to gels. I would recommend this race to anyone that wants a small race with the organization and attention to details of a large race.”
– K. W. from Charlotte, N.C.
