Charlotte marathon seeks noisy neighbors

Charlotte's 7^th Annual Thunder Road Marathon is calling on area neighborhoods to take part in its “Neighborhood Association Challenge” to support the thousands of runners who will take to the streets of Charlotte on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011.

Geared toward neighborhoods along the course – Eastover, Foxcroft, Myers Park, Dilworth, South End, Wilmore, Gateway/Third Ward, NoDa and Plaza Midwood – Thunder Road Marathon will award two $500 checks to two neighborhoods that put on the best event and showed the most support for the marathon. The winning neighborhood associations are free to utilize the cash as they please.

Participants in the “Neighborhood Association Challenge” are encouraged to be as creative as possible to get the runners pumped up. Requirements for the challenge include: making it public and open to all residents of the neighborhood; promoting it to all neighborhood residents; keeping it outside and along the marathon course; incorporate a racing theme; cheering on the runners; and taking photos. Residents are encouraged to lead the charge with their respective neighborhoods if they would like to be involved in this opportunity.

“Thunder Road Marathon is a community event that draws in runners from all over the country and Canada so we have a great opportunity to show off the spirit and camaraderie of Charlotte,” said Tim Rhodes, race director of the Thunder Road Marathon. “We encourage all neighborhoods, residents and businesses along the course to come out and cheer the runners. Powerful crowd support is incredibly motivating during all stages of the race.”

To register for the “Neighborhood Association Challenge” or for any questions, contact Ashleigh Lawrence at Ashleigh@runforyourlife.com.

Registration for the 2011 Marathon is open and is available online at www.runcharlotte.com. Both the 7^th Annual Thunder Road Marathon (a Boston Marathon Qualifier) and Amica Insurance Half-Marathon will take place on certified courses starting at 7:45 a.m. The Presbyterian Hospital 5K will begin at 8:15 a.m. Entry fees are as follows: Now thru Nov. 4: Marathon - $95, Half-Marathon - $65 and 5K - $35; and at the pre-event Expo (Nov. 10-11): Marathon - $125, Half-Marathon - $90 and 5K - $45. There is also a double medal opportunity for those who run the Dowd YMCA Run Half-Marathon (Oct. 22, 2011) and the Thunder Road Marathon or Amica Insurance Half-Marathon.

Attention Blue Ridge Relay participants

Reposting this announcement from TrySports' website:

Blue Ridge Relay Information Meeting and Discussion Forum, plus BRR Team Gear Deals
9-10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13

Whether you are brand-new to the crazy sport of running or you’re a seasoned veteran with thousands of miles of pavement, concrete, and dirt in your wake, you will probably want to go ahead and put this race on your “to-do” list.

The 208-mile Blue Ridge Relay (BRR208), which is one of the longest running relay races in the United States, takes place in the picturesque Blue Ridge and Black Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina and has been named the second-best road race (behind the Susan G. Komen Race Series) in the Best of 2010 edition of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. Here’s the best part: There are still a few spots left for this September’s race.

Due to the fact that an exceptional number of this year’s participants hail from the Charlotte area, the kind folks directing this year’s race will be visiting TrySports to hold an information meeting just for you. Believe us when we say coordinating 12 people (among 120 teams of 12 people) to move across 208 miles of the scenic North Carolina High Country -- on foot, sometimes in the dark -- is no easy task. Knowledge is equal to safety and speed in this fantastic adventure. So come join us at TrySports on Aug. 13 to learn more about this great event as well as to ask questions, share experience, or swap stories with the people who know all about this race. TrySports will also offer one-day-only specials to participants in this year’s race to outfit your team ... . Please email justinbreland@trysports.com with questions or to RSVP for this event.