Race #488 -- Charlotte 10 Miler -- Charlotte NC -- 04/17/2021


Celebrating its tenth year, the Charlotte 10 Miler & 4 Mile Run has for several years been one of Charlotte's premier races. It's been a favorite for me and a lot of runners I know and has attracted some of the best runners from the area. The 10-mile distance is kind of a rarity, with most races sticking with the more standard distances such as 5k, 10k, half marathon, etc. The 10-mile distance presents a little different challenge. This was my 488th race but only my ninth 10-miler. It was my slowest 10-miler ever but that's not too surprising since it was four years ago when I last ran the 10-mile distance. 

This year's race featured a rolling start, with runners beginning their races over an excruciatingly long 4-hour time frame from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. due to Covid restrictions. The entire race was run on the McMullen Creek Greenway, obviating the need to close down any roads for traffic concerns, and since it was a rolling start the single pathway down to the main part of the greenway wasn't congested. That part's good, but I'm hoping the "rolling start" business doesn't catch on because it makes for a boring race. One of the best parts of racing is starting all at the same time. I know who's ahead of me and who's behind me. I'm able to race my peers head-to-head and know if I'm leaving somebody behind or getting left behind myself, or if we're struggling to get ahead of each other. Without this head-to-head racing, it just feels like a fun run or a regular weekend 10-mile run, providing little incentive to really get into racing mode.

With a total of 368 finishers (233 for the 10-miler and 135 for the 4-miler), this was the smallest turnout ever for a race that has had well over 1,000 finishers for the past five years, including 1,600 in 2017. Rightly so, it turns out. The lack of head-to-head competition, no race photos, no awards, only some chips and water at the finish line, made it seem like very little thought was put into making it an event. In past years there was a breakfast afterward with pancakes, sausage, hot coffee, and tons of entertainment. I realize we're trying to get over the pandemic but I've been to small 5k races in the past couple of months that put this one to shame. People who are at the most risk for the virus (including me) have all been vaccinated if they chose to be, and there is very little risk to people under 60 years old, so I think the need for austerity measures in everything we do is a bit much at this point. 

The one bright spot for the race remains the 1/4 zip pullover shirt that has been a mainstay over the years. It's part of the registration price for the 10-miler but is an extra 10 bucks if you're a 4-mile runner. Either way, it's a good deal and one of the best shirts you'll ever get at a race.



Race Name:  Charlotte 10 Miler & 4 Mile Run

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Date: April 17, 2021

Race Rating:  59


Top Finishers:


Course:


Elevation by Mile:


Weather at Start:



Click Here for Race Results




My Stats:

  • Time:  1:26:04
  • Pace:  8:37
  • Age Group: 1 of 4 
  • Overall:  92 of 233
  • Average Heart Rate:  152  
  • Maximum Heart Rate:  159
  • Age Grade Percentage:  69.62%


Some interesting graphs are presented on the results site:




***************

* RACE RATING *

***************


RACE COURSE 

0 - Chip & Gun Timing: (3 points if yes)

0 - Water Stops: (0)none  (2)normal  (5)extras [Gu, sports drink, etc.]

1 - Course Marking:  (0)bad  (1)good

3 - Course Scenery:  (0-5) 1=bad  and 5=fantastic

1 - Mile Markers: (0)poor or none  (1)normal  (2)with clocks or time called out

2 - Volunteers:  (0)too few  (2)good

7 - Finish line: (0-9)   0=bad  and 9=spectacular!

0 - Certified Course: (0)no  (2) yes

2 - Correct Distance: (0)no  (2)yes

0 - Partly or fully on unpaved roads:  (0)yes  (1)no


REGISTRATION 

2 - Cost:  (0)expensive  (2)reasonable  (5)cheap!

0 - Race Day Registration:  (0)no  (3)yes


RESULTS

2 - Posted online within 24 hours:  (0)no  (2)yes

1 - Easy to find results:  (0)no  (1)yes


AGE GROUPS

2 - 3 deep awards: (2)yes (0 for anything less)

5 - 5-year age groups (5 points) (0 for anything less)

1 - 14 and under group (1)

1 - 65+ group (1)

1 - 70+ group (1)

2 - Top Overall M/F:  (0)none; (1) first only; (2)top 3 or better

2 - Masters Category(40+): (0)no  (2)yes

0 - Grand Masters Category (50+):  (0)no  (3)yes

0 - Senior Grand Masters Category: (0)no  (5)yes


AWARDS

0 - Overall Winner Awards: (0)none  (2)yes  (5)excellent

0 - Age Group Awards: (0)none  (2)yes  (5)excellent

0 - Door Prizes or Drawing: (0-9)

0 - Finisher Medals for All Finishers: (0)no  (3)yes  (5)really cool medals


POST RACE 

2 - Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)

0 - Entertainment:  (0)no  (1-9)yes

2 - Finisher times posted after race:  (0)no  (2)yes


REST ROOMS 

2 - Porta Potties:  (0)no  (1)limited, long lines  (2)plentiful

0 - Indoor Restrooms: (0)no  (1)limited, long lines  (2)plentiful


T-SHIRTS

2 - T-Shirts: (0)no  (2)yes

5 - Design: (1-5)

3 - Material Quality: (1-3)

0 - Discount for no-shirt option:  (0)no (2)yes


PHOTOGRAPHY 

0 - Professional Photography: (0)no  (5)yes

0 - Prices: (1)expensive  (3)reasonable  (5)cheap

0 - Free Photographs (newspaper, etc.):  (0)no  (1-10)yes 


PARKING 

2 - Close to Start:  (2)yes  (0)no

2 - Close to Finish:  (2)yes  (0)no

2 - Plenty of spaces:  (2)yes  (0)no

2 - Free Parking:  (2)yes  (0)no


OTHER

0 - Shelter from Inclement Weather (needed or not): (0)no  (2)yes

0 - Swag (free socks, water bottles, etc.): (0)no  (2)yes, some  (5)excellent

0 - Part of race series or Grand Prix:  (0)no  (2)yes

0 - Kids Fun Run: (0)no   (2)yes

x - Miscellaneous not covered above: (-10 to +10)


TOTAL:  59


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