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Sat, Nov 14 · 2026Charlotte, NCSince 2005

Charlotte Marathon

The Charlotte Marathon winds through Uptown and the city's neighborhoods on a rolling loop course, rewarding runners who pace smart and handle the hills honestly.

RollingOpen
CHARLOTTE · US
Charlotte
SAT, NOV 14
2026
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Race Overview

EST. 2005

The Charlotte Marathon runs a loop through Uptown and the surrounding neighborhoods, and what you notice pretty quickly is that the course never really flattens out. The rollers come in waves. Nothing is steep enough to stop you, but over the second half you feel every single one. The start and finish are both in Uptown, so the crowd support at the bookends is solid. The middle miles run through quieter residential stretches where it's just you and the course.

For goals: this is a honest Boston qualifier, but the rolling profile means you need to run it disciplined. Don't let the modest total elevation fool you into going out hot. Save something for miles 18 through 23. Entry is open registration through RunSignUp, and it does sell out, so sign up early if the date is on your calendar. Downtown hotels are right there, which makes the logistics simple if you're traveling in. It's a well-organized mid-size field, good for a first marathon or a qualifier attempt, as long as you respect the hills.

Field size
~2.6k
2,647 finishers
BQ rate
3%
Below national average
Time limit
6:00
Tight cutoff
Entry
Open
First-come registration
Course records
Men
2:23:50
Adam Jones
2021
Women
2:45:04
Megan Hepp
2007

The Course

1,044 ft total gain
Total ascent
↑1,044 ft
Total descent
↓1,046 ft
Net elevation
↓2 ft
Highest point
772 ft
Lowest point
617 ft
Course shape
Loop
Start and finish in one place

The course is a net-flat loop but don't mistake that for easy. Over 1,000 feet of cumulative gain are spread across the full 26.2 miles, so the rolling character never fully relents. The elevation range is modest, sitting between roughly 617 and 772 feet, meaning no single climb is brutal on its own, but the repeated ups and downs add up over the back half. There's no net elevation advantage to exploit for a PR. Runners chasing time need to resist going out fast in the first miles and bank energy for the grind in miles 18-24, when the accumulated rollers start to bite.

DIFFICULTYHILLYPR-FRIENDLYNO
Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median
Low
41°F
High
62°F
30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°
What to expect

Mid-November in Charlotte usually means a cold start and a manageable afternoon. You'll likely be in throwaway layers at the gun. By the back half the temperature comes up nicely, so don't overdress for the finish. It can be a legitimate fast-weather day if conditions align. The one variable to watch is wind, which can pick up across the more exposed stretches. Overall the window is as good as fall marathon weather gets in the Southeast.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration via RunSignUp. Race typically sells out several months before race day.

Register on RunSignup

Logistics

For runners travelling in
Closest airport
CLT
6 mi
from the start
≈ 10 min transferOn the doorstep
What to expect

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is about 6 miles from downtown and 15-20 minutes away. Downtown hotels within walking distance of the start/finish in Uptown Charlotte make this very accessible for out-of-town runners.

Frequently Asked

7 questions