Running Around Charlotte Running Around Charlotte

The idea of running as fast or as far as you can without stopping is often enough to keep some folks from ever starting. But getting into running – and actually getting better at it – doesn’t have to be “all gas, no brakes.” (That’s brakes as in BRAKES.) 



Our friend Kristin Smith wants everyone to know how walking breaks have made her a better, healthier runner. Not only is she improving her finish times, she’s having a GREAT time doing it. And, she’s found the running community that’s just as fun and supportive as she is. 



We love having folks like her as part of our Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassador team – and as guests here on the show. 



Lindsey McGee co-hosts with DC Lucchesi as we welcome Kristen Smith to the Running Around Charlotte Podcast, presented by Novant Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. 

No runner’s journey is the same. For some of us, building up to a couple of miles is the most we’ll ever want to do. For others, it may be to see how fast or far our legs can take us. For others still, it’s a particular event or distance that serves as our goal. Or… somewhere in between. 



Either way, we may never know how far running can take us. 



Rebecca Green made quick work of finding out how far she was willing to go. In a year, she went from “new runner” to “ultra runner.” And she didn’t let the weather, or an event cancellation get in her way.



We love having runners like Rebecca as part of the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassador team! We think you’ll get a kick out of meeting her, too, on this episode of The Running Around Charlotte Podcast, presented by Novant Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

Yeah, this show is called The Running Around Charlotte Podcast, but we’ve literally got listeners all over the world. (Apparently both of our listeners do a ton of traveling?



Seriously though, it’s great to have listeners and friends and running buddies all over the place. It makes running in a new place that much better when you’re with someone who knows the area, knows the best routes — and knows where all the secret bathroom stops are located. Just in case.



Erin Vinson is THAT kind of person. She’s more than just one of our out-of-town Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassadors. She’s a great ambassador for the sport of running, and the community that you can create with it. Fair warning, though: you have to get up pretty early to catch her! We got her to slow down long enough to join us on this episode of The Running Around Charlotte Podcast!

Ever heard of a “backyard ultra?” It’s actually a real thing. It’s not a forever-long session of chores in the lawn, but an actual event format. It’s kind of like a “last one standing” race, where competitors must consecutively run the distance of 4.167 miles (6.706 kilometers) in less than one hour. There’s no predetermined distance or time in a backyard ultra, so rest and fueling are also a big part of the game.



On this episode of The Running Around Charlotte Podcast, presented by Novant Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, we’ve got the scoop on just such an event in the works here in the Charlotte area. John Lytton is in the studio with DC and guest host Lindsey McGee to explain how it works, and why former NFL star DeAngelo Williams is part of this whole thing!

If you’ve been running around Charlotte at all – and particularly at events in and around town – you’ve probably run into some of our Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassadors. 



They’re you’re ticket to discounts on events all year long, of course, and there’s more to it than that. They want you make you welcome to the greater running community. The program’s been such a bonus, we’ve DOUBLED the ranks for 2024. 



Lindsey McGee is leading up the progam for us this year… and she’s our guest on this episode of the Running Around Charlotte Podcast.