Congratulations to this year’s winners of the 8th Annual Endurance Magazine Best of North Carolina awards! Thank you to all of our readers who voted in our online poll. It’s amazing how passionate we are about our favorite places to shop, eat, buy gear, race, train and repair ourselves.
BEST RUNNING RETAILERS
Best Place to buy Running Shoes
Fleet Feet Sports
Runner Up: Run for Your Life
Best Place to buy Trail Running Shoes
Fleet Feet Sports
Runner Up TIE: Inside Out Sports and Run for Your Life
Best Place to buy Apparel
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Runner Up: Fleet Feet Sports
Best Place to buy Women’s Apparel
Athleta
Runner Up: Dick’s Sporting Goods
Best Customer Service
Fleet Feet Sports
Runner Up: Run for Your Life
BEST CYCLING RETAILERS
Best place to buy a Road Bike
Inside-Out Sports
Runner Up: REI
Best place to buy a Mountain Bike
Inside-Out Sports
Runner Up: Bike Source
Best place to buy a Tri Bike
Inside-Out Sports
Runner Up: Performance Bicycle
Best place to buy a Kids Bike
Inside-Out Sports
Runner Up: Performance Bicycle
Best Customer Service
Inside-Out Sports
Runner Up: Bicycle Sport
BEST OUTDOOR SPECIALTY RETAILER
Best place to buy Camping Gear
REI
Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company
Best place to buy Hiking Gear
REI
Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company
Best place to buy Canoes/Kayaks & SUP’s
REI
Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company
Best place to buy Outdoor Apparel
REI
Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company
Best Customer Service
REI
Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company
BEST RUNNING EVENTS
Best Mile
The Rocket Mile
Runner Up: Novant Charlotte Marathon Mile
Best 5K
GNC 5K
Runner Up: Yiasou Greek Festival 5K
Best 10K
OrthoCarolina 10K
Runner Up: Hit the Brixx 10K
Best 10 Miler
Charlotte 10 Miler
Runner Up: Medoc Mountain Trail 10 Miler
Best Half-Marathon
Novant Health Charlotte Half Marathon
Runner Up: TIE: Rocktoberfest and Huntersville Half Marathon
Best Marathon
Novant Health Charlotte Marathon
Runner Up: Medoc Mountain Trail Marathon
Best Trail Run
Medoc Mountain Trail Races
Runner Up: US National Whitewater Center Race Series
Best Women’s Running Event
Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon
Runner Up: Reindeer Romp 5K
Best Turkey Trot
Charlotte Turkey Trot at Southpark
Runner Up: Turkey Dash Charlotte
BEST CYCLING EVENTS
Best Criterium
TIE:
Crossroads Classic
Tour de Elvis
Uptown Criterium
Best Century Ride
Carolina Century
Best Charity Ride
Tour de Cure
Best Road Race
Crossroads Cycling Classic
Best Cyclocross Race
NCCX North Carolina Cyclo-Cross
BEST TRIATHLON
Best Kids Triathlon
Rodney’s Great Kids Triathlon
Runner Up: Kids Tri Ballantyne
Best Sprint
Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon
Runner Up: Lake Norman
Best Olympic/International Distance
Lake Logan
Runner Up: Belews Lake
Best Half-Ironman
Ironman 70.3 Raleigh
Best Ironman Distance
Ironman Chattanooga
Best Women’s Triathlon
Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon
OTHER EVENTS
Best Color Run
Color Me Green
Best Obstacle Race
Spartan Race
Best Kids Event
Girls on the Run 5K
Best Endurance Charity Event
TIE:
Angels & Sparrows 5k
Duke Energy 911 Stair Climb
Girls on the Run 5K
Mill Chill 4 Miler in Rocky Mount
University City Duathlon
BEST AWARDS
Best Pre-Race Expo
Novant Charlotte Marathon
Best Post-Race Experience
Novant Charlotte Marathon
Best Event Medal
Novant Charlotte Marathon
Runners Up: Medoc Trail Races
Best Event SWAG
Medoc Mountain Trail Races
Runner Up: Charlotte 10 Miler
BEST PLACES TO REPAIR YOURSELF
Best Sports Medicine Practice
Carolina Sports Clinic
Runner Up: OrthoCarolina
Best Physical Therapy Practice
Carolina Sports Clinic
Runner Up: Architect Sports
Best Chiropractic Practice
Carolina Sports Clinic
Runner Up: Active Carolina Sports and Spine
Best Place to get a Massage
Carolina Sports Clinic
Runners Up: The Sport of Massage
BEST PLACES TO WORKOUT
Best Wellness Facility
HFFA
Runner Up: Harris YMCA
Best Fitness Club
Fitness Connection
Runner Up: Lifetime Fitness
Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gym
TIE:
Cliff Hangers
Inner Peaks
Best Yoga Studio
Melting Point
Best Pilates Studio
Pulse Pilates
Best Outdoor Pool
Harris YMCA
Best Indoor Pool
Mecklenburg Aquatic Center
Runner Up: Harris YMCA
Best Charity Training Program
Tri It For Life
BEST PLACES TO FUEL UP
Best Grocery Store
Earth Fare
Runner Up: Publix
Best Breakfast
Famous Toastery
Runner Up: Toast
Best Pizza Place
Brixx
Runner Up: Tony’s Pizza
Best Coffee Shop
Summit Coffee
Runner Up: Starbucks
Best Local Brew
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Runner Up: Cabarus Brewery
Best place to hang post-workout
Starbucks
Runner Up: Sunflower Baking Company
BEST RUNNING RETAILERS
Best Place to buy Running Shoes
Bull City Running
Runner Up: Fleet Feet Sports Carrboro/Durham
Best Place to buy Trail Running Shoes
Bull City Running
Runner Up: Fleet Feet Sports Carrboro/Durham
Best Place to buy Apparel
Bull City Running
Runner Up: Fleet Feet Sports Carrboro/Durham
Best Place to buy Women’s Apparel
Bull City Running
Runner Up: Athleta
Best Customer Service
Bull City Running
Runner Up: Inside-Out Sports
BEST CYCLING RETAILERS
Best place to buy a Road Bike
Inside-Out Sports
Runner Up: Performance Bicycle
Best place to buy a Mountain Bike
Inside-Out Sports
Runner Up: The Bicycle Chain
Best place to buy a Tri Bike
Inside-Out Sports
Runner Up: Performance Bicycle
Best place to buy a Kids Bike
Performance Bicycle
Runner Up: Inside-Out Sports
Best Customer Service
Inside-Out Sports
Runner Up: Performance Bicycle
BEST OUTDOOR SPECIALTY RETIALER
Best place to buy Camping Gear
REI
Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision
Best place to buy Hiking Gear
REI
Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision
Best place to buy Canoes/Kayaks & SUP’s
REI
Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision
Best place to buy Outdoor Apparel
REI
Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision
Best Customer Service
REI
Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision
BEST RUNNING EVENTS
Best Mile Run
Sir Walter Raleigh Miler
Runner Up: Rocket Mile
Best 5K
Florence Forth
Runner Up: GNC 5K
Best 10K
Florence Forth
Runner Up: Carrboro 10K
Best 10 Miler
Tar Heel 10 Miler
Runner Up: Medoc Trail 10 Miler
Best Half-Marathon
Holly Springs Half Marathon
Runner Up: Historic Hillsborough Half Marathon
Best Marathon
Tobacco Road Marathon
Runner Up: Medoc Trail Marathon
Best Trail Run
Medoc Trail Races
Runner Up: Little River Trail Races
Best Women’s Running Event
Esprit de She
Runner Up: Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon
Best Turkey Trot
Carrboro Gallop and Gorge 8K
Runner Up: Inside-Out Sports Turkey Trot
BEST CYCLING EVENTS
Best Criterium
Jiggawat ACE Speedway
Best Century Ride
Carolina Century
Best Charity Ride
Velo 4 Yellow
Best Road Race
Falls Lake Road Race
Best Cyclocross Race
Berger Hardware Bike Series
Best Women’s Ride
Le Tour de Femme
BEST TRIATHLON
Best Kids Triathlon
Tar Heel Youth Triathlon
Best Sprint
Triangle Triathlon
TIE – Runner Up: Rex Wellness Sprint Series & Smile Train Triathlon
Best Olympic/International
Beaver Dam Olympic Triathlon
Runner Up: White Lake International Triathlon
Best Half-Iron
Ironman 70.3 Raleigh
Best Iron Distance
Ironman North Carolina
Best Women’s Triathlon
Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon
OTHER EVENTS
Best Obstacle Race
Tackle the Tar
Best Adventure Race
TIE:
Big Muddy Run
Doughman
Medoc Moubtain Trail
RunTheBoro
Spartan
Best Endurance Charity Event
Mill Chill 4 Mile
Best Kids Event
Got Grit 5K
BEST AWARDS
Best Pre-Race Expo
Bull City Race Fest & Food Truck Rodeo
Runner Up: Tobacco Road Marathon
Best Post-Race Experience
Bull City Race Fest & Food Truck Rodeo
Runner Up: Holly Springs Half Marathon
Best Event Medal
Medoc Half Marathon
Runner Up: Historic Hillsborough Half Marathon
Best Event SWAG
Medoc Half Marathon
Runner Up: Historic Hillsborough Half Marathon
BEST PLACES TO REPAIR YOURSELF
Best Sports Medicine Practice
Run Raleigh PT
Runner Up: ActiveEdge Fitness and Sports Performance
Best Physical Therapy Practice
Run Raleigh PT
Runner Up: ActiveEdge Fitness and Sports Performance
Best Chiropractic Practice
Staker Chiropractic
Runner Up: Bogert Family Chiropractic
Best Place to get a Massage
ActiveEdge Fitness and Sports Performance
Runner Up: The Sport of Massage
Best Spa Facility
The Umstead
Runner Up: Synergy
BEST PLACES TO WORKOUT
Best Wellness Facility
ActiveEdge Fitness and Sports Performance
Runner Up: UNC Wellness Centers
Best Fitness Club
ActiveEdge Fitness and Sports Performance
Runner Up: Lifetime Fitness
Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gym
Triangle Rock Club
Runner Up: UNC Wellness Centers
Best Yoga Studio
Arrichion
Runner Up: Carrboro Yoga Company
Best Pilates Studio
ActiveEdge Fitness and Sports Performance
Runner Up: Pulse Pilates
Best Outdoor Pool
Lifetime Fitness
Runner Up: Granite Falls
Best Indoor Pool
Triangle Aquatic Center
Runner Up: UNC Wellness Center
Best Charity Training Program
Team in Training
Runner Up: V Foundation
BEST PLACES TO FUEL UP
Best Grocery Store
Whole Foods
Runner Up: Harris Teeter
Best Breakfast
Elmo’s Diner
Runner Up: Weaver Street Market
Best Pizza Place
Lily’s
Runner Up: Pie Pushers
Best Coffee Shop
Bean Traders
Runner Up: Cup ‘a Joe
Best Local Brew
Full Steam Brewery
Runner Up: Bond Brothers Brewing
Best place to hang post-workout
TIE:
Bean Traders
Bombshell Brewery
Full Steam Brewery
Ponysaurus
BEST RUNNING RETAILERS
Best Place to buy Running Shoes
Fleet Feet
Runner Up: Omega Sports
Best Place to buy Trail Running Shoes
Fleet Feet
Runner Up: Omega Sports
Best Place to buy Apparel
Fleet Feet
Runner Up: Omega Sports
Best Place to buy Women’s Apparel
Fleet Feet
Runner Up: Omega Sports
Best Customer Service
Fleet Feet
Runner Up: Omega Sports
BEST CYCLING RETAILERS
Best place to buy a Road Bike
Cycles de Oro
Runner Up: Performance Bicycle
Best place to buy a Mountain Bike
Cycles de Oro
Runner Up: Performance Bicycle
Best place to buy a Tri Bike
Cycles de Oro
Runner Up: Performance Bicycle
Best place to buy a Kids Bike
Cycles de Oro
Runner Up: Ken’s Bike Shop
Best Customer Service
Cycles de Oro
TIE: Runner Up: Ken’s Bike Shop & Performance
BEST OUTDOOR SPECIALTY RETAILER
Best place to buy Camping Gear
REI
Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company
Best place to buy Hiking Gear
REI
Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company
Best place to buy Canoes/Kayaks & SUP’s
Great Outdoor Provision Company
Runner Up: REI
Best place to buy Outdoor Apparel
REI
Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company
Best Customer Service
REI
Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company
BEST RUNNING EVENTS
Best Mile Run
Ardmore RAH!
Runner Up: Runner Dude’s Fitness
Best 5K
The Trout Tattoo
Runner Up:Beat the Heat 5K
Best 10K
Runner Dude 10K Challenge
Runner Up: Ardmore RAH!
Best 10 Miler
Runner Dude 10 Miler
Runner Up: Up the Creek 10 Miler
Best Half-Marathon
Cannonball Half Marathon
Runner Up: Mistletoe Run
Best Marathon
The Day Bat
Runner Up: Cannonball Marathon
Best Trail Run
The Day Bat
Runner Up: Medoc Mountain Trail Races
Best Women’s Running Event
Women’s Only 5k
Runner Up: Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon
Best Turkey Trot
Greensboro Gobbler
Runner Up: Runner Dude’s Canned Cranberry Sauce 10K
BEST CYCLING EVENTS
Best Criterium
Carolina Cup
Best Century Ride
Carolina Century
Best Charity Ride
Rothar Turas
Best Road Race
Winston-Salem Cycling Classic
Best Cyclocross Race
TIE:
Lions Roar
Tour to Tanglewood
Winston-Salem NCCX
Best Women’s Race
Le Tour de Femme
BEST TRIATHLON
Best Kids Triathlon
Kids for Kids Triathlon
Best Sprint
Mission Man Triathlon
Runner Up: High Point Sprint Triathlon
Best Olympic/International
Belews Lake
Best Women’s Triathlon
Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon
OTHER EVENTS
Best Color Run
Glow in the Park
Best Obstacle Race
Rugged Maniac
Best Endurance Charity Event
Carolina Century
Best Adventure Race
The Search for Tola Mufu
BEST AWARDS
Best Pre-Race Expo
The Day Bat
Best Post-Race Experience
The Day Bat
Runner Up: Carolina Century
Best Event Medal
The Day Bat
Runners Up: Medoc Mountain Trail Races
Best Event SWAG
Up the Creek
Runner Up: Medoc Mountain Trail Races
BEST PLACES TO REPAIR YOURSELF
Best Sports Medicine Practice
Chandler Physical Therapy and Sports Rehab
Runner Up: Greensboro Orthopedics
Best Physical Therapy Practice
Chandler Physical Therapy and Sports Rehab
Runner Up: Greensboro Physical Therapy
Best Chiropractic Practice
Elite Performance Chiropractic
Runner Up: Healing Hands Chiropractic
Best Place to get a Massage
Kneaded Energy
Best Spa Facility
TIE:
Beth Almon
Chakras
Chandler Physical Therapy
Lifetime Fitness
The Spa at Highland Oaks
Utopia
BEST PLACES TO WORKOUT
Best Wellness Facility
Runner Dude’s Fitness
Runner Up: YMCA
Best Fitness Club
Runner Dude’s Fitness
Runner Up: YMCA
Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gym
TIE:
Footsloggers
Level Up
Lifetime Fitness
Triangle Rock Club
Ultimate Climbing Gym
Wake Forest University
Best Yoga Studio
Dancing Dog Yoga
TIE – Runner Up:
Club Fitness
Triad Yoga
Revolution Yoga
Best Pilates Studio
YMCA
Best Outdoor Pool
Pinetop
Best Indoor Pool
The Club
Runner Up: YMCA
BEST PLACES TO FUEL UP
Best Grocery Store
Harris Teeter
Runner Up: Whole Foods
Best Breakfast
Scrambled
Runners Up: Mary’s Gourmet Diner
Best Pizza Place
Elizabeth’s Pizza
TIE: Runner Up: Brixx Pizza, Sticks and Stones
Best Coffee Shop
The Green Bean
Runner Up: Krankies
Best Local Brew
Natty Greene’s
Runner Up: Joymongers
Best place to hang post-workout
Joymongers
Runner Up: Panera Bread
