It’s going to cool off at some point, surely. Time to sign up for some Fall 2023 Walks & Road Races around town ~ great fitness goals, great way to build community, and often great ways to support local charities. Here are over 20 events to join in to this year (organized by date):
Yiasou Greek Festival 5K, 1 Miler
Saturday, Aug 26, 2023
Opa! Join the 2023 Yiasou Greek Festival 5k and Kids’ 1 miler presented by Novant Health, on Saturday, August 26. This is how the Charlotte running community sends off summer – by participating in the flattest, fastest, 5k in town. This fantastic 5k course winds through some of the most beautiful and iconic avenues in Charlotte’s historic Dilworth neighborhood. And did we mention it’s flat and fast?
Whitewater Center Labor Day Trail Race
Saturday, Sept 2, 2023
Jumpstart the holiday weekend with a 5K or 15K trail race. Last day to pre-register is August 30, 2023.
Around The Crown 10K
Sunday, Sept 3, 2023
Benefitting Carolina Farm Trust and Sustain Charlotte, the Around the Crown 10K is the perfect way for runners to experience this amazing city. Starting and finishing in Uptown Charlotte, runners will get a once in a lifetime opportunity to run the entirety of the Queen City’s 3 mile major inner loop, I-277. Pre-registration ends 9/1/23. Also a fun KIDS RUN.
Camp Care 5k
Saturday, Sept 9, 2023 McAlpine Creek Park
Camp CARE (Cancer Ain’t Really the End) provides a weeklong summer camp and year-round activities to children who have or have had cancer and their families in the Charlotte area.
The C2 Obstacle Trail Run from YMCA CLT at Camp Thunderbird
Saturday, Sept 9, 2023
The C2 Obstacle Trail Run is the Steele Creek YMCA’s signature event ~ Hit the course and make your footprints count in support of the YMCA Annual Campaign that gives youth an opportunity to play, learn and grow in a safe and thriving environment.
RACE START TIMES (WAVE START):
8:00 AM – 3-Mile Individuals
8:15 AM – 3-Mile Teams
9:15 AM – 1-Mile Fun Run
South End Shuffle 5K & Mile Run
Saturday, September 9, 2023
8:30 AM Mile Run – 9:00 AM 5K
The 5K starts on W Summit Ave in front of Wooden Robot Brewery and heads into Charlotte’s South End and Wilmore neighborhoods. There is also a 1 Mile Run for those looking for a shorter distance. Registration includes a finisher medal and beer (21+) from Wooden Robot Brewery or ice cream for those under 21. Shirts included for the 5K, and available as an upgrade for the 1 Mile. Benefits The Purple Promise Foundation to End Melanoma and West End Ministry.
Ivy Rehab Carolina Classic 10K/5K
Saturday Sept. 16, 2023
The 13th Annual Ivy Rehab Carolina 10K/5K Classic offers a 10K running event, and a challenging 5K run/walk along with a kid’s dash. Plus food trucks and a beerfest. The race will cap at 2,000 runners. Price increases after August 21, 2023 at 11:59pm.
Whitewater Tread Nightly and Tread Brightly Half Marathon and 4 Mile Race
Sept. 22 & 23, 2023
Grab your headlamp or rise with the sun. Choose between a night time or day light trail race, or tackle both back to back. Half marathon and 4 mile distances available. Pre-registration available through September 20, 2023.
St. Jude Walk Run
September 30, 2023 Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Church St.
8:30 am
8:30 AM – Event Opens
9:30 AM – Opening Remarks
10:00 AM – Start Line Take Off
Midwood Mile
September 30, 2023 Plaza Presbyterian Church
4:00 PM
Event Timeline:
Women’s Open: 4:00pm
Men’s Open: 4:17pm
Family Mile: 4:34pm
Women’s Competitive: 4:54pm
Men’s Competitive: 5:00pm
Davidson Lands Conservancy Run for Green 5K/10K/Half Marathon
Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023
This course is in the beautiful small town of Davidson, North Carolina, and it winds its way through lovely little neighborhoods with long stretches out in the woods on the greenway where you can take in the serenity of nature. Expect to encounter a hill or two, this is not what one would call a flat course. At the Town Green in Davidson. You must register before September 15th to be guaranteed a t-shirt.
Pink Cupcake Walk
Sat October 7, 2023
The Pink Cupcake Walk & Breast Cancer Survivor Lap Together is back again this year at Truist Field in Uptown. You’ll enjoy mini cupcakes from four bakeries while walking laps around Truist Field, home of the Charlotte Knights baseball team. Benefits Go Jen Go, a non-profit that provides financial assistance to families in the greater Charlotte area who facing the financial burden of breast cancer.
The Pink Cupcake Walk starts at 10am with gates to the field opening at 8:30am at the baseball stadium in Uptown on the first Saturday in October for four laps around the Charlotte Knight’s baseball field. After each lap, you’ll get a delicious cupcake from a local bakery. WBTV’s Molly Grantham will be there, as well as live music to help us cheer on breast cancer Survivors, Fighters, and Thrivers.
28th Annual Hopebuilders 5K
Saturday, Oct 14 | 7:30 a.m.
Ready to hit a home run for kids in the Charlotte community? Join Atrium Health Foundation for the 28th Annual Hopebuilders 5K onSaturday, October 14, at Truist Field. Your participation raises critical funds for patient initiatives at Atrium Health Levine Children’s, building hope for children and families in our community. The Hopebuilders 5K was founded 28 years ago by two local families whose children – both battling cancer – had to seek medical care outside of Charlotte. Although they sadly lost their fight to the terrible disease, their families joined forces to impact the lives of other families. Since that time, the Hopebuilders 5K has become the flagship community fundraising event for Levine Children’s Hospital, bringing together more than 1,000 runners, donors, sponsors, and advocates annually to support pediatric patient initiatives.
Walk to End Epilepsy
Sunday Oct 15 McAlpine Creek Park
9am-Noon
Join in-person or virtually on Sunday October 15, 2023, at McAlpine Creek Park in Charlotte North Carolina from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM to raise awareness and funds to END EPILEPSY. With each step taken and dollar raised, we’re closer to reaching our goal: a world free from epilepsy and free from fear of the next seizure.
There is no fee to register, however when you raise $50 or more, you’ll earn this year’s official 2023 Walk to END EPILEPSY – Charlotte T-shirt
Runway 5k at Charlotte Douglas Airport
Saturday, Oct 21, 2023 NOTE Last bus leaves at 6:45 AM. 5K starts at 7:30 AM
The 16th Annual CLT Runway 5K is a flat and fast course that offers runners and walkers a unique opportunity to run one of the country’s busiest airport runways. This run will take place completely on the runway and taxiways. Participants will see planes queuing up, taking off, and landing. This event is one that will be enjoyed by the whole family. You must register as a runner to participate. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a registered adult. The race will be limited to 1500 participants. Register early, this event is a sell out! NOTE: Participants will park at Charlotte Premium Outlets and ride buses to the race site within the secure airfield at Charlotte Douglas Airport.
Proceeds from the CLT Runway 5K will help to fund Airport Opportunity Scholarships with Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) created to promote careers in aviation, as well as economic opportunities in Charlotte.
2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Saturday, October 21, 2023
At Truist Field with Registration 9am | Opening Ceremony 10am | Walk Start after the Opening Ceremony. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The annual event takes place in more than 600 communities and features over 300,000 participants across the country. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association® mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Out of the Ashes Candlelight 5k
Saturday, Oct 21, 2023 6:30 pm
The Out of the Ashes 5k was born out of loss, but in time, has become a source of hope for both the founding family and the surrounding community of bereaved families. Now accepting applications for women and families to have any medical expenses associated with pregnancy loss, infant loss and infertility discovery covered by our grant fund.
Strides for Shelter 5K RUN/WALK
Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023
Since the inception of the Strides for Shelter 5K in 2016, the Canopy Housing Foundation has returned more than $130,000 from the race proceeds to several worthy local beneficiaries who are all working to address the needs of the homeless. As the sponsoring organization, the Canopy Housing Foundation is the charitable arm of the Canopy Realtor® Association. The Foundation works to create a community where all housing needs are met through advocacy, education, funding and leadership.
JDRF One Walk
Saturday, October 28, 2023
The general Walk route is 1 mile at the Whitewater Center. The 2023 Walk Theme Dancing through the Decades: Moving Forward as One. The Walk theme drives much of what the Walkers do—from crafting (and sharing) their own T1D stories to designing their Walk shirts, which are a fun tradition of the Walk. Teams design t-shirts to wear together on Walk Day.
NODA Halloween Freaky 5k
Saturday, October 28, 2023
The NoDaWeen Freaky 5K is a fun run hosted by the NoDa “NBA” – Neighborhood and Business Association. Come run though one of Charlotte’s most historic and spookiest neighborhoods. Participants are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes as prizes will be handed out for best costumes and for fastest runners. A post-run party will be held at The Company Store in NoDa. This race is great for experienced and beginner runners or walkers and for families, friends, teenagers, kids, and strollers!
Pre-register by Monday, 10/25/2023 and receive a stylish t-shirt with your race package! Youth sizes also available.
Running Scared 5 Miler/5K & Monster Mile
Saturday, Oct 28, 2023
The 6th Annual Running Scared 5 Miler/5K & Monster Mile presented by Midnight Mulligan Brewing will take place on October 28th, 2023 at 9:00am. This family fun event encourages participants to have fun, be creative, and dress up in costumes. Costumes are of course encouraged but not required. Enjoy a scenic 5 mile & 5K race through and around uptown Charlotte starting and finishing at Midnight Mulligan Brewing. There will be activities for the kids (face painting, games, etc.), Food Trucks, Beer, Music, and more.
Novant Health Charlotte Marathon/Half Marathon/5K
Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023
Registration is open NOW for the 2023 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, and Marathon Relay events.
Your participation continues to benefit the Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital. Since our partnership began in 2014, you’ve helped contribute more than $250,000 toward providing remarkable care to kids from the Carolinas and beyond.
A Shot in the Dark 5K & 10K Night Trail Race
Friday, November 17, 2023
Charge your headlamp and get ready to tackle the trails in the dark. Compete in a 5K or 10K distance and cross the finish line under the moonlight.
HERORUN 5K & 1K FUN RUN
Saturday, Nov 18, 2023 @ 8:00 AM
Join Fairview Plaza and American Asset Corporation for the Sixth Annual HeroRun taking place on Saturday, November 18th, 2023 in benefit of Veterans Bridge Home. Held in the heart of South Park, the race begins at 8 am at Fairview Plaza office buildings. The 5k course takes runners through scenic South Park neighborhoods while the 1k Fun Run keeps runners close to Fairview Road. The festivities include music, activities, some live superheroes and the real heroes, members of all 5 branches of the U.S. Military.
Charlotte Turkey Trot 5k | 8k
Thursday, Nov 23, 2023
Listed as one of the 30 Best Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trots in America, the Charlotte Turkey Trot celebrates its 35th year in 2023. Join in on Thanksgiving Day morning and choose from several fun options to participate including an 8K Run, a 5K Run/Walk, a 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk and a Tot Trot. Starting and finishing at the SouthPark Mall, the largest road race (9,000+) in North Carolina is a homecoming destination for extended families, old classmates, and a place to meet and celebrate with neighbors. The community comes together for the official Charlotte kick-off to the holiday season. Registration will go live on August 15th, 2023.
Pajamas All Day 5k/10k Snow Day Race
Saturday, Dec 9, 2023
This is a special year for the foundation because 2023 marks 5 years cancer free for founder, Jenn Andrews and it is the 5th year for our race. So roll out of bed and bring the whole family for a fun-filled morning of moving and snowy surprises. Dreaming of building a snowman? Drooling over snow ice cream? Ready to throw snowballs? The event will have a DJ, sponsor and vendor expo with lots of fun giveaways, food vendors, children’s fun run and endless activities for the kiddos, a petting zoo, adoptable animals, adult beverages like their signature Hops on One Leg ® NE IPA, raffles and more.
