THE ‘BEST OF’ ENDURANCE AWARDS

 

THE ULTIMATE IN INSIDE INFORMATION is right here.  In our first-ever ‘Best Of’ awards, over 2,000 readers of Endurance Magazine cast more than 25,000 votes for the best events, products resources in North Carolina’s endurance sports community. With this inaugural issue, we’ve eliminated the need for you to spend any more bleary-eyed hours trolling web forums researching the best gear or trying to figure out how to best phrase “the best sprint triathlon in north carolina” so Google actually returns results for the best place sprint triathlon in North Carolina.  In addition to our reader’s choices, we chose three outstanding athletes to represent all the amazing men, women and youth endurance sports athletes in North Carolina.  


Best Running Shoe Selection

Run For Your Life

Charlotte

http://www.runforyourlife.com/

 

Raleigh Running Outfitters

Cary * Raleigh

http://www.raleighrunning.com/

 

Omega Sports

Greensboro * Winston-Salem

http://www.omegasports.net

 

Runners Up—Best Running Shoe Selection

Second Place

Charlotte Running Co.

Charlotte

 

Fleet Feet Sports

Carrboro

 

Fleet Feet Sports

Winston-Salem

Third Place

TrySports

Charlotte

 

Bull City Running

Durham

 

Off’n Running

Greensboro

 

Best Bike Selection

 

Bike Source

Charlotte

http://www.bikesourcecharlotte.com

 

Inside Out Sports

Cary

http://www.insideoutsports.com/

Performance

Greensboro

http://www.performancebike.com

Runners Up—Best Bike Selection

Second Place

South Park Cycles

Charlotte

 

Trek Bicycles

Raleigh

 

Cycles deOro

Greensboro

 

Third Place

Cool Breeze Cyclery

Charlotte

 

Bicycle Chain

Apex * Chapel Hill * Durham * Carrboro

 

Clemmons Bike Shop

Clemmons

 

Best Outdoor Gear Selection (camping, paddling, etc.)

REI

Cary * Durham * Raleigh * Charlotte

http://www.rei.com/

 

Great Door Provision Co.

Greensboro * Winston-Salem

http://greatoutdoorprovision.com/

 

Runners Up—Best Outdoor Gear Selection (camping, paddling, etc.)

Second Place

Great Outdoor Provision Company

Cary * Durham * Raleigh

 

Third Place

Jesse Brown’s Outdoors

Charlotte

 

Townsend Bertram & Company

Carrboro

Best Women’s Apparel Selection

Charlotte Running Co.

Charlotte

http://www.charlotterunning.com/

 

Fleet Feet Sports

Carrboro

http://www.fleetfeetcarrboro.com/

 

Great Outdoor Provision Co.

Greensboro * Winston-Salem

http://greatoutdoorprovision.com/

 

Runners Up—Best Women’s Apparel Selection

Second Place

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Charlotte

 

Raleigh Running Outfitters

Cary * Raleigh

 

Fleet Feet Sports

Winston-Salem

 

Third Place

Great Outdoor Provision Co.

Chapel Hill * Charlotte * Raleigh

 

Omega Sports

Greensboro * Winston-Salem

Best Place to Buy a Bike for Your Kids

Bike Source

Charlotte

http://www.bikesourcecharlotte.com

 

Trek

Raleigh

http://trekraleigh.com/

 

Performance

Greensboro

http://www.performancebike.com

Runners Up—Best Place to Buy a Bike for Your Kids

Second Place

Cool Breeze Cyclery

Charlotte

 

The Clean Machine

Apex * Chapel Hill * Durham * Carrboro

 

Ken’s Bike Shop

Winston-Salem

 

Third Place

The Spirited Cyclist

Mooresville * Huntersville

 

Bicycle Chain

Apex * Chapel Hill * Durham * Carrboro

Clemmon’s Bike Shop

Clemmons

 

Best Customer Service

Run For Your Life

Charlotte

http://www.runforyourlife.com/

 

Fleet Feet Sports

Carrboro

http://www.fleetfeetcarrboro.com/

 

Fleet Feet Sports

Winston-Salem

http://www.fleetfeetwinston-salem.com/

 

 

Runners Up—Best Customer Service

Second Place

Charlotte Running Co.

Charlotte

Raleigh Running Outfitters

Cary * Raleigh

 

Off’n Running Sports

Greensboro

Third Place

Inside Out Sports

Charlotte

 

Bull City Running Company

Durham

 

Great Outdoor Provision Co.

Greensboro * Winston-Salem

 

Best Overall Triathlon Retailer

Inside Out Sports

Charlotte

http://www.insideoutsports.com/

Inside Out Sports

Cary

http://www.insideoutsports.com/

 

Fleet Feet Sports

Winston-Salem

http://www.fleetfeetwinston-salem.com/

Runners Up—Best Overall Triathlon Retailer

Second Place

TrySports

Charlotte

 

Off’n Running

Greensboro

Third Place

Cool Breeze Cyclery

Charlotte

 

Fleet Feet Sports

Carrboro

 

Best Overall Running Retailer

Run For Your Life

Charlotte

http://www.runforyourlife.com/

Fleet Feet Sports

Carrboro

http://www.fleetfeetcarrboro.com/

 

Fleet Feet Sports

Winston-Salem

http://www.fleetfeetwinston-salem.com/

Runners Up—Best Overall Running Retailer

Second Place

Charlotte Running Co

Charlotte

 

Raleigh Running Outfitters

Cary * Raleigh

 

Off’n Running

Greensboro

Third Place

TrySports

Charlotte

 

Bull City Running Company

Durham

 

Omega Sports

Greensboro * Winston-Salem

 

Best Overall Cycling Retailer

Bicycle Sport

Charlotte

http://www.bicyclesport.com/

 

Trek Bicycle Store

Raleigh

http://trekraleigh.com/

 

Cycles deOro

Greensboro

http://www.cyclesdeoro.com/

 

Runners Up—Best Overall Cycling Retailer

Second Place

Bike Source

Charlotte

 

Inside Out Sports

Cary

 

Clemmon’s Bike Shop

Clemmons

 

Third Place

Cool Breeze Cyclery

Charlotte

 

The Clean Machine

Apex * Chapel Hill * Durham * Carrboro

 

Ken’s Bike Shop

Winston-Salem

 

Best Overall Outdoors/Adventure Retailer

REI

Cary * Durham * Greensboro * Raleigh * Charlotte

http://www.rei.com/

 

Great Outdoor Provision Co.

Greensboro * Winston-Salem

http://greatoutdoorprovision.com/

 

Runners Up—Best Overall Outdoors/Adventure Retailer

 

Second Place

Great Outdoor Provision Co.

Chapel Hill * Raleigh * Charlotte

 

Third Place

Jesse Brown’s Outdoors

Charlotte

 

Townsend Bertram & Company

Carrboro

 

Best Mile Run Event

Magnificent Mile

Raleigh

http://www.magmilerace.com/

 

Best Trail Run Event

East

Medoc Mountain Series

www.medoctrailmarathon.com/

 

Central

Uwharrie Mountain Run

www.raceuwharrie.com/

West

USNWC River Bound Series

http://www.riverboundrace.com/

Best 5K Run Event

Greek Fest 5K

Charlotte

http://www.runforyourlife.com/CharlotteRunningEvents/2010CharlotteRunningEvents/2010_Yiasou_Greek_Festival_5K.htm

Komen Race for the Cure 5K

Raleigh

http://ww5.komen.org/

Beat the Heat 5K

Winston-Salem

http://www.twincitytc.org

 

Best 10K Run Event

Hit the Brixx 10K

Charlotte

http://www.runforyourlife.com/

 

Cardinal Track Club 10K

Chapel Hill

http://www.cardinaltrack.com

 

Salem Lake 10K

Winston-Salem

http://www.twincitytc.org

 

 

Best 10 Miler Run Event

Wachovia Tar Heel 10 Miler

Chapel Hill

http://www.tarhee110miler.com/

Runners Up—Best 10 Miler Run Event

Second Place

Medoc Mountain 10 Miler

Hollister

 

Third Place

American Tobacco Trail 10 Miler

Apex

 

Best Half-Marathon Event

OBX (Best Destination)

Outer Banks

http://www.obxmarathon.org/

 

Charlotte RaceFest (Best Spring)

Charlotte

http://www.charlotteracefest.com/

 

City of Oaks (Best Fall)

Raleigh

http://cityofoaksmarathon.com/

Best Marathon Event

OBX (Best Destination)

Outer Banks

http://www.obxmarathon.org/

Tobacco Road (Best Spring)

Cary

http://www.tobaccoroadmarathon.com/

 

Thunder Road (Best Fall)

Charlotte

http://www.runcharlotte.com/

 

Best Women-Only Run Event

Women’s Only Run 5K

Greensboro

http://www.womensonlyrun.com/

 

Best Sprint Triathlon Event

White Lake Sprint (Best Overall)

White Lake

http://www.setupevents.com/

Lake Norman

Charlotte

http://www.setupevents.com/

 

Triangle Triathlon

Raleigh

http://www.setupevents.com/

 

Mission Man

Burlington

http://www.setupevents.com/

 

Best Olympic Triathlon Event

Over the Mountain

Charlotte

http://www.setupevents.com/

Inside Out Sports White Lake

White Lake

http://www.setupevents.com/

 

Pinehurst (Best Overall)

Pinehurst

http://www.setupevents.com/

 

Best Half-Iron Distance Triathlon Event

White Lake Half

White Lake

http://www.setupevents.com/

Best Iron Distance Triathlon

Beach to Battleship

Wilmington

http://www.beach2battleship.com/

 

Best Women-Only Triathlon Event

Ramblin’ Rose Chapel Hill (Best Overall)

Chapel Hill

http://www.ramblinroseevents.com/

 

Ramblin’ Rose Charlotte

Charlotte

http://www.ramblinroseevents.com/

 

Ramblin’ Rose Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem

http://www.ramblinroseevents.com/

Best Criterium Cycling Race

Presbyterian Hospital Criterium

Charlotte

http://www.charlottecriterium.org/

 

Best Century Cycling Event

Blood Sweat and Gears

Valle Crucis

http://www.wataugaredcross.com/bsg/main/start.htm

 

Best Mountain Bike Cycling Event

Rivers Edge 50 Mile Marathon

Charlotte

http://www.charlottemtnbike.com/

Runners Up—Best Mountain Bike Cycling Event

Second Place

Off-Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell

Old Fort

 

Third Place

Huck-A-Buck

Lake Crabtree

 

Best Kids Event

 

Swim For Smiles Triathlon (Best Overall)

Chapel Hill

http://www.swimforsmiles.org/

 

Birkdale Animal Hospital Kids Tri Series

Charlotte

http://www.nckidstri.com/

 

Kids for Kids Triathlon

Winston-Salem

http://www.kidsforkidstriathlon.com/

Best Endurance Sports Charity Event

24 Hours of Booty (Best Overall)

Charlotte

http://www.24hoursofbooty.org/

 

Swim for Smiles Triathlon

Chapel Hill

http://www.swimforsmiles.org/

 

MS Tour to Tanglewood

Winston-Salem

http://www.nationalmssociety.org

Best Pre-Race Expo

City of Oaks (Best Overall)

Raleigh

http://cityofoaksmarathon.com/

 

Thunder Road

Charlotte

http://runcharlotte.com/

 

Best Event Medal

Uwharrie Mountain Run (Best Overall)

Ophir

http://www.raceuwharrie.com/

Beach to Battleship

Wilmington

http://www.beach2battleship.com/

 

Tar Heel 10 Miler

Chapel Hill

http://www.tarhee110miler.com/

 

Best Place to Rock Climb (Indoor)

Inner Peaks

Charlotte

http://innerpeaks.com/

 

Triangle Rock Club

Morrisville

http://www.trianglerockclub.com/

 

Best Place to Swim (Pool)

Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center

Charlotte

http://www.charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/ParkandRec/Aquatics/Pages/Aquatic Center Information.aspx

 

Homestead Aquatic Center

Chapel Hill

http://www.ci.chapel-hill.nc.us/index.aspx?page=806

 

Gateway YWCA

Winston-Salem

http://www.ywcaws.org

 

Runners Up—Best Place to Swim (Pool)

Second Place

Huntersville Family Fitness and Aquatics

Huntersville

Triangle Aquatics Center

Cary

Bryan Family YMCA

Greensboro

 

Third Place

Pullen Park Aquatics Center

Raleigh

Best Healthy Grocery Store

Earth Fare

Charlotte

http://www.earthfare.com/

Whole Foods

Raleigh * Durham * Chapel Hill

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

 

Best Healthy Restaurant

Crisp

Charlotte

http://www.crispfoods.com/

 

Sage

Chapel Hill

http://sagevegcafe.com

 

Whole Foods

Winston-Salem

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

 

Best Local Pizza

Pizza Peel

Charlotte

http://www.tapandpeel.com/

 

Mellow Mushroom

Raleigh

http://www.mellowmushroom.com

Brixx Wood Fired Pizza

Winston-Salem

http://www.brixxpizza.com/

 

Runners Up—Best Local Pizza

Second Place

Fuel Pizza

Charlotte

 

Lilly’s Pizza

Raleigh

 

Mario’s

Winston-Salem

 

Third Place

Hawthorne

Charlotte

 

ZPizza

Cary

Burke Street Pizza

Winston-Salem

 

Best Local Coffee

Dilworth Coffee House

Charlotte

http://www.dilworthcoffee.com

Open Eye Café

Carrboro

http://www.openeyecafe.com/

Krankies Coffee

Winston-Salem

http://www.krankiescoffee.com

Best Local Brew

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

Charlotte

http://www.oldemeckbrew.com/

 

Carolina Brewery

Chapel Hill * Pittsboro

http://www.carolinabrewery.com/

Red Oak

Whitsett

http://www.redoakbrewery.com

 

Best Post-Run Hangout

Dilworth Neighborhood Grille

Charlotte

http://www.neighborhoodgrille.com/

 

Tyler’s Restaurant & Taproom

Apex * Carrboro

http://www.tylerstaproom.com/

 

Village Tavern

Winston-Salem

Charlotte

http://www.villagetavern.com

 

Best Regional Sports Lifestyle Magazine

Endurance Magazine

 

https://www.endurancemag.com/

Best Must Have! High-Tech Gadget

Garmin Forerunner Series Watch (110, 305, 310, 405, Edge)

Best Running Shoe Brand (Road)

Aiscs

Runners Up—Best Running Shoe Brand (Road)

Second Place

Brooks

Third Place

Saucony

Best Running Shoe Brand (Trail)

Brooks

Runners Up—Best Running Shoe Brand (Trail)

Second Place

New Balance

Third Place

Salomon

Best Triathlon Bike Brand

Cervelo

Runners Up—Best Triathlon Bike Brand

Second Place

Trek

Third Place

Felt

Best Road Bike Brand

Trek

Runners Up—Best Road Bike Brand

Second Place

Cervelo

Third Place

Cannondale

Best Mountain Bike Brand

Trek

Runners Up—Best Mountain Bike Brand

Second Place

Specialized

Third Place

Gary Fisher

Best Electrolyte Drink

Gatorade

Runners Up—Best Electrolyte Drink

Second Place

Heed (hammer)

Third Place

Nuun

Best Electrolyte “Food”

GU

Runners Up—Best Electrolyte “Food”

Second Place

Clif Bar

Third Place

Hammer Gel

Best Product to Prevent Chafing

Body Glide

Runners Up—Best Product to Prevent Chafing

Second Place

TriSlide

Third Place

Chamois Butt’r

Best Men’s Apparel Brand

Nike

Runners Up—Best Men’s Apparel Brand

Second Place

Under Amour

Third Place

Sugoi

Best Women’s Apparel Brand

Nike

Runners Up—Best Women’s Apparel Brand

Second Place

Lululemon

Third Place

Moving Comfort

Best Wellness Facility

Huntersville Family Fitness and Aquatics

Huntersville

http://www.hffa.com/

 

UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont

Chapel Hill

http://www.uncwellness.com/

 

Bryan Family YMCA

Greensboro

http://www.bryanymca.org/

Best Fitness Club

Dowd YMCA

Charlotte

http://www.ymcacharlotte.org

Lifestyle Family Fitness

Apex * Cary * Raleigh

http://www.lff.com

 

The Rush

Winston-Salem * Greensboro

http://www.therush247.com/

 

Best Yoga Studio

Charlotte Family Yoga Center

Charlotte

http://charlottefamilyyogacenter.com

Arrichion

Raleigh

http://www.arrichion.com

 

Village Yoga Studio

Winston-Salem

http://www.villageyoga.ws

 

Runners Up—Best Yoga Studio

Second Place

Yoga One Wellness

Charlotte

 

Carrboro Yoga Company

Carrboro

Hot Yoga Therapy LLc

Kernersville

 

Third Place

Y2 Yoga Studio

Charlotte

 

Sync Studio

Durham

 

Triad Yoga Institute

Greensboro

 

Best Pilates Studio

Iron Butterfly Pilates

Charlotte

http://ironbutterflypilates.com/

Inside Out Body Therapies

Durham

http://www.insideoutbodytherapies.com/

 

Runners Up—Best Pilates Studio

Second Place

Hilliard Studio Method

Charlotte

 

Max Pilates

Raleigh

 

Third Place

8th Street Studio

Charlotte

The Athletic Performance Center

Raleigh

 

Best Sports Training Facility

Velocity Sports Performance

Charlotte * Greensboro

http://www.velocitysp.com

 

The Athletic Performance Center

Raleigh

http://www.apcraleigh.com

 

Runners Up—Best Sports Training Facility

Second Place

 

Total Cyclist

Charlotte

 

Active Edge

Durham

 

Third Place

U.S. National Whitewater Center

Charlotte

Cross Fit

Durham

 

Best Charity Training Program

Team In Training

http://www.teamintraining.org/

 

Best Place to Go With an Injury

Greenapple Sports & Wellness

Charlotte

http://drgreenapple.com

 

Raleigh Ortho

Raleigh * Cary * Garner

https://www.raleighortho.com/

 

Runners Up—Best Place to Go With an Injury

Second Place

Ortho Carolina

Huntersville * Charlotte

Sports & More Physical Therapy

Raleigh * Cary

Third Place

Carolina Sports Clinic

Charlotte

Balance Physical Therapy

Carborro

 

Best Place to Get a Massage

Davidson Therapeutic Massage

Davidson

The Athletic Performance Center

Raleigh

http://www.apcraleigh.com

 

Runners Up—Best Place to Get a Massage

Second Place

Carolina Sports Clinic

Charlotte

 

Inside Out Body

Durham

 

Best Place to Rejuvenate Yourself

The Umstead

Cary

http://www.theumstead.com