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home > races/results > usa: north carolina > feel the thunder! run charlotte's thunder road marathon or amica insurance half marathon december 12, 2009

Feel the Thunder! Run Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon or Amica Insurance Half Marathon December 12, 2009
The 2009 Thunder Road Marathon and Amica Insurance Half Marathon are races full of energy and the need for speed in beautiful Charlotte at just the right time! There’s a 5K too!

  
Feel the Thunder! Run Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon or Amica Insurance Half Marathon December 12, 2009


    


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By Christopher Russell
Posted Wednesday, 4 November, 2009

Come to the home of NASCAR and run with the power and energy of a super-charged race car at the Thunder Road Marathon, the Amica Insurance Half Marathon, and the 2009 Presbyterian Hospital Jingle Jog 5K this December 12th. The weather will likely be perfect, the city is beautiful, and this race has everything you need for a successful, high energy, end of season outing.

“I loved the event. Charlotte is a great city. Everything was centrally located and the selected hotels were too. Police presence was fantastic; the force did an awesome job managing the traffic. … Finally the band at the finish lined rocked…Would I run this one again. Absolutely.”

Gear up for a NASCAR themed party!
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! This is the only NASCAR themed major race event of the season. The races all start and finish next to the new NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC. The great City of Charlotte is home to 95% of the NASCAR teams. There will be stock cars on display and the entire event has the surge and power of a world class stock car race. Rev up your personal marathon and half marathon engines and let them fly down the Thunder Road!

The race starts with the ‘Green Flag’ and is complete with the ‘Checkered Flag’ at your finish line. Even prizes are stock car themed. Winners receive tickets to the Coca Cola 600. Although stock car racing may not be your cup of tea, you can’t help but be inspired to run your best by the power and energy this NASCAR immersion brings to the event.

Fifth Year! Impressive growth, a winning formula, and staying power…
Seasoned runners know when a race reaches the 5-year mark it has come of age! The Thunder Road event is growing like kudzu and has become a popular end-of-season, high energy event for runners of all capabilities. The Amica Insurance Half Marathon has grown 160% year over year, while the full marathon has grown by 80%. This year they expect 6,000 participants in the half marathon and 2,000 in the full. This will create a terrific energy level, but is not overwhelmingly large and crowded. It’s the perfect size for support, camaraderie and racing.

Such participation doesn’t happen by accident. Thunder Road has a success formula that works. It is a runner-friendly, really fun event with a super course at the right time on the racing calendar. The location and weather help. People come back because they have a great time racing and visiting Charlotte.

“This was everything that I look for in a race. Excellent traffic control, efficient packet pick-up, convenient parking and good overall organization…It is great to have access to the convention center right at the starting line for rest rooms and shelter from the weather. …At the finish, we were rewarded with a great medal on a really cool lanyard. I'm coming back to Charlotte.” - P. P., Marietta, GA

By the fifth annual you can guarantee that races have worked out all the kinks and everything runs like clockwork. The course will be tuned, the volunteers seasoned, the host city in a celebratory mood, and you will experience the excellent road racing event you have been looking for!

“I give the Thunder Road Marathon a huge thumbs up. This is a race that runners will appreciate. It is not a "flat and fast" course, but has rolling hills from start to finish but for each up there's a down. The course was very scenic (showcased a lot of Charlotte and the neighborhoods around the City) and traffic control was done well. The size of the field was perfect - enough to socialize some but not too many to overwhelm and slow things down (there was room for elbows and breathing). Another great thing was that the start and finish were right outside the Convention Center. It made staying warm before the race and getting warm after the race very easy. I am definitely planning on being back next year.” - B. T., Raleigh, NC

Perfect place at the perfect time--your race!
Charlotte is a great city; December 12 is the perfect time to visit and run a race. If you’ve done one of the big city fall marathons you are already in shape and you can come to Charlotte for the fun. Maybe you’re still looking for that Boston Qualifier in 2009? Charlotte is a great place to do it. Boston is going to fill up early this year, but a qualifying time at Charlotte should get you in! The weather in Charlotte should be perfect: 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Thunder Road Marathon and Amica Insurance Half Marathon run on Saturday. This will allow you to run and then enjoy the city without having to rush back to work on Monday as you would with a Sunday event.

Charlotte is a vibrant city with plenty to see and do. The dining is out-of-this-world, and no matter your taste you will find excellent fare. Grab your favorite travel buddy and head to Charlotte to soak up the atmosphere--and run a great race.

“I loved the race. Had a blast! First half was really beautiful, running through some really great neighborhoods. … Shirt was nice and the medal was great!... the folks there were wonderful.

Thanks, Charlotte! I'll be back next year.” - Frank, NC
The course is beautiful and reasonably flat (some rolling hills), and takes you through lovely sections of Charlotte from Myers Park to Eastover to Dilworth to the famous North Davidson (NoDa) area. Treat yourself before the holidays with a weekend in Charlotte and experience Thunder Road; it will pleasantly surprise you. Travel and lodging in Charlotte is quite reasonable this time of year. You can have a blast without breaking the bank.

The Queen City of Charlotte becomes the “Hornet’s Nest” of running on Dec 12th
Charlotte is located about halfway between Atlanta and Raleigh in the foothills of the Appalachians. It is known as the “Queen City” having originally been named in honor of the wife of King George III, Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg. This is also how Mecklenburg County got its name. There are approximately 700,000 residents within the city limits, making this the 18th largest city in the US.

Charlotte received the “Hornet’s Nest” nickname during the Revolutionary War when British General Cornwallis referred to the city as a “hornet’s nest of rebellion”.

Charlotte Bobcats Will Recognize Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K Participants at Game
Charlotte is home to both the Carolina Panthers National Football League franchise and the Charlotte Bobcats of the National Basketball Association. The Panthers will be playing in Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on Sunday the 13th; but if you have the time to stay around the race organization has struck a deal with the Bobcats to get you some great tickets. Catch the excitement as the Charlotte Bobcats take on the New York Knicks on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 7:00 pm.

“We have reserved a section of discounted seats ($40 for lower level, $17 for upper level) at Time Warner Cable Arena just for Thunder Road Marathon, Amica Insurance Half Marathon and Presbyterian Hospital Jingle Jog 5K participants for the Bobcats / Knicks game on Tuesday, December 15th! In addition to the game, runners that arrive at the arena early will be recognized on court for participating in Thunder Road! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!”

Charlotte has everything you need to enjoy a weekend away, but has a laid back friendly charm. Pack your shoes and your bags for the convenient and popular Thunder Road Marathon and Amica Insurance Half Marathon and explore all that the great City of Charlotte has to offer.

The Course – Pretty, challenging and fair…
The course for the Thunder Road Marathon is one of the primary draws and features of the event. It treats runners to a tour through the pretty tree-lined streets of Charlotte. Runners will pass through beautiful residential and historic sections as well as the vibrant downtown.

“I thought the course for this race was the absolute best course that could be laid out in the city of Charlotte. …. NoDa in the second half was the best spectator area in the whole race. They were having a ball over there. This is a very nice race and well-organized. Plenty of police support and traffic control. The medal is one of the best I've seen in a marathon, very high quality. There was plenty of GU and fluids on the course. Plenty of food afterward. Being able to stay inside at the Convention Center before and after the race was a real plus, considering the temperature was quite cool. I am used to being staked out in the cold at most marathons, so to be able to stay warm before and after is a real plus. This is a great race that everyone should put on their race calendar.” – T.M., Fort Mills, SC

The course starts in the heart of Uptown Charlotte and proceeds to tour the entire city. From oak-lined Foxcroft, through historic Myers Park, past Dilworth and the South End, by Bank of America Stadium where the Panthers play, and into the party atmosphere of North Davidson. Runners make their way back uptown, past the historic Plaza-Midwood area, down Central Avenue and into the finish.

The start and finish are located near each other, and getting around is a breeze. The course actually has a net elevation loss of 30ft but in between are some rolling hills to break things up. The total elevation gain for the 26.2 miles is 1,168 feet, but the largest hills are only a 100ft or so. It’s enough challenge to keep the course interesting, but not enough to throw you off your game.

The Amenities – UNLIMITED INDOOR BATHROOMS! (That’s right! Heated too!)
The Thunder Road Marathon and Amica Insurance Half Marathon have all the amenities you’ll want in a world-class event.
• Access to 189 indoor, heated, real bathrooms at the start. No stinky, shivering porta-potties for you in Charlotte!
• Personalized Bibs for early pre-registered participants so all the fans will scream your name in encouragement as you pass by.
• Gear bag check near the start.
• Pace groups to help meet your time goal.
• PowerAde & Dasani water every two miles on the course - GU at 16 and 20.
• Two live bands and entertainment at the finish.
• Fan zones along the course to give you some energy.
• Technical tee-shirt and high quality finisher’s medal
• ChampionChip timing system with on-course splits.
• Shower facilities available near the finish line.
• Food and drinks for all finishers
• Post-race party.

In addition to putting on a quality event the race organizers will donate 10% of proceeds to local charities, including ‘Girls on the Run’ which was founded by Charlotte local Molly Barker. Two $10,000 need-based, University scholarships will also be funded.

“Charlotte is a great marathon. The weather was perfect - 40 degrees at start and 65 at the finish. There were clocks at every single mile and water/fluid stations every other mile. The course was well managed with great staff/volunteers at all points in the race. Finally, the gentle ups and downs (what some are calling rolling hills) offer your legs a chance to use different muscles than when you run on flat surfaces the entire way. The first half is very scenic, so relax and enjoy it before buckling down for the faster second half of the race. Perfect setup for negative splits if you run smart and within yourself. Great marathon.” - P.R., Washington, D.C.

The schedule – Saturday morning start!
Friday, December 11, 2009
11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Thunder Road Marathon Health & Wellness Expo presented by Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital at the Charlotte Convention Center
Saturday, December 12, 2009
6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. – Race Day packet pickup, Charlotte Convention Center
6:30 a.m. – Noon – Thunder Road Marathon Health & Wellness Expo presented by Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital, Charlotte Convention Center

7:50 a.m. - Marathon, Amica Insurance Half Marathon Start
8:25 a.m. - Presbyterian Hospital Jingle Jog 5K Start
10:00 a.m. – Presbyterian Hospital Jingle Jog 5K Awards
11:00 a.m. – Amica Insurance Half Marathon Awards
12:00 a.m. – Marathon Awards

Heading for the Checkered Flag!
Mark your calendar for the fifth running of Charlotte’s Thunder Road Marathon, Amica Insurance Half Marathon, and Presbyterian Hospital Jingle Jog 5K on Saturday, December 12, 2009. They’ve more than doubled their numbers in just one year, but they are saving a spot for you! Come find out why folks who have run Charlotte’s Thunder Road say “put this one on your calendar”, “far exceeded expectations,” and “a major marathon”. Put yourself in gear, get revved up, and burn rubber in Charlotte at the Thunder Road Marathon this year!

 

 

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