Overall a great race experience - the first half is a great loop through scenic neighborhoods with rolling elevation changes, well marked mileage markers, and lots of crowds to keep the energy up. The second half tapers off as the crowds thin out a bit, and the "out and back" nature of this area of the course leaves a little more to be desired. Hills were more a bit more punishing here, and it felt like automobile traffic control was less of a priority...we ran into two instances where a bus drove onto the course between Mile 15-16 and a car drove into and parked in the middle of the course after Mile 19.5 to have a conversation with the police officer. The volunteers at the aid and water stations were fantastic and the local run clubs absolutely showed out at different points to support all the runners. Running in CLT seems to be "having its moment" right now and it's great to see this race and community continue to grow year over year. What I would appreciate seeing in the coming years: reviewing course design for the second half of the race; better placement of timing gates/additional timing gate in the second half of the race; a medal design that better reflects and embodies the spirit of the "Queen City".

It is completed irresponsible to run this around two major hospitals and disrupt ambulance, provider and patient traffic. We have patients in ambulances unable to get here for specialty procedures this morning. Would strongly suggest moving the route to not disrupt vital health care for the people of Charlotte. This practice could definitely set your organization up for legal concerns and consequences

“Coat check” stole my keys so now I’m stranded. I was told after the race that it was a “donation pile”. Who on earth is trying to donate their gear right before a race?? Well anyways now I’m screwed because my keys were in my jacket and now I’m gonna have to call a locksmith to get into my car. Screw these organisers they are literal criminals.

I have not run this event since 2012 so it was interesting to observe the growth and changes over the years. The pre-race communications and expo were on par with comparable size marathons. Race morning was fine except the stadium bathrooms did not open until 6.20-25am and if I recall were supposed to be open at 6am. I would recommend they are open at least at 6am for a 7.20am start. The first half of the race had great crowd support and was easy to follow the course. Coming into downtown, the turn for half vs. full needs to be much clearer. Heads up further out, signs and markings on the ground should be much more obvious. The last 4 miles is where I was frustrated with this event. There is room for improvement here. There was two way runner traffic with only half the road closed down on North Davidson and then again in downtown. It was very scary running at a fast pace directly into oncoming runners as it was not clear who was supposed to be where and even volunteers at the water station on North Davidson seemed concerned. I am sure it is terrifying for runners and water stop volunteers seeing runners come towards them. Course signage the last 4 miles was not easily visible. This was especially true around the NASCAR hall of fame to the finish. I was not 100% sure I was on course and then was running into marathoners heading towards mile 13 with no markers indicating who was supposed to be where on the course and folks walking across the course with nobody blocking them. The last 600-800m to the finish was a challenge with half marathoners finishing and the front of the marathon finishing. It would help to provide very distinct lanes with cones, signs, course monitors to separate folks out the last portion of the race. Additionally, once I crossed I was given a half marathon medal originally which a volunteer noticed and fixed. Had the full and half been better separated, this is an easy way to prevent this mistake. I know that when setting up a course what seems very obvious for turns and instructions just is not when you have marathon brain 2+ hours into a race and really need everything to be totally obvious. The police are there to direct traffic and provide safety. It is not their job to tell you which way to go. There has to be clear signage, physical barriers to separate traffic and course monitors with this many participants. The tiny out and back at mile 23 was also a massive momentum killer. There has to be a more runner friendly way to get the distance. This event has grown by leaps and bounds and doing alot of great things like comparable marathons of this size in this space. But course logistics still need some further ironing out so that runners are safe. I ran about 6 inches away from a cars mirror for almost a qtr mile because I was trying to stay out of the way of incoming runners. My options were risk colliding into runners or risk getting hit by a car. I love my city and the running community so I am proud we have a big marathon weekend to run locally and showcase our city. However, to host this many or more participants will require more improvements on course logistics to make it a truly great and safe experience for all.

The 2024 Charlotte Marathon was run very well and very smoothly. I will remember this race for many years! The organizers touted that 2024 was a sellout race across all the events (congrats!). The corral system was a nice addition I don't remember in prior years. Bib pickup and the expo was easy to access and I purchased things from the local vendors. Portable toilets were adequate and well placed around the starting line and on various points on the course. Post-race swag is a lot of food and beverage. For a sub-3 hour marathoner this course is not congested EXCEPT in two areas: 1. where runners are simultaneously outbound to NoDa and Plaza and inbound to Uptown finish on the same side of the street. 2. At the finish the marathon and half-marathon runners converge and it was quite crowded and my pace was much faster than half finishers and I had to swerve and dodge at 26 miles! If I had one wish for the next year is the addition of 2 more checkpoints for splits so spectators tracking online can get a better sense of where runners are located on the course.

The atmosphere of this race was great! I ran a marathon relay. I was the first leg at the start line, which really pumped me up. It was also an amazing feeling to finish a full marathon relay with a team of moms/friends who beat our pace goal! The 2023 race was a beautiful day and perfect to run through the city of Charlotte.

Have participated in the Novant Charlotte event twice. Great course and the fans and course support are energetic! There is always something on course to look at in Charlotte. The DJs and music on course were not as many as I anticipated, but still a good vibe. I would love the the race shirt for women to be either a v-neck or a tank top - mix it up a bit! The finish line and post in Romare Bearden rocks!

Thought the event was nice, but the lasting memory was standing in a driving rainstorm to get into the expo to get my bib. I've never seen that in a big city marathon. The course was beautiful and I'd do the event again but I'll wait until closer to the event to see the weather.