Great Runs in Charlotte
Charlotte is a fast-growing city and the second largest banking center in the United States. If you’re in financial services…you’ll end up in Charlotte at some point. Charlotte is fairly spread out. There are good running options right downtown, but a car will help you access a wonderful network of trails surrounding the city. A system of greenway trails is constantly growing and provides miles of options for recreation, transportation, and fitness. In addition to the Greenway trails, Charlotte running highlights include historic architecture and lovely residential neighborhoods, a well developed trail alongside the Trolley, and some terrific trail running opportunities. Charlotteans say “Beer is the perfect post-run recovery beverage”. Because of this, there are numerous brewery group runs almost every day of the week.
Public transport in Charlotte is mainly downtown and includes buses and a trolley (and the trolley running trail!). The Uptown Shuttle provides free transportation to the Convention Center and most hotels, but if you need to get about, a car is needed.
Charlotte has a humid, subtropical climate. Summers months are are hot and humid, with highs averaging 90F with warn nights. Make sure you hydrate appropriately. Winters are short and generally cool to mild, with a January daily average of 40.1 °F. Rain is frequent throughout the year, with thunderstorms in spring and summer. Overall, Charlotte’s climate is great for running year-round but be prepared for the summer heat!
The Iconic Routes
- Uptown Parks and Stadiums Loop
- Booty Loop
- Trolley Trail
- Dilworth Loop
The Routes
Uptown Parks and Stadiums Loop
3.7 miles RT. Start: Convention Center. MAP
Charlotteans refer to downtown Charlotte as ‘Uptown’. This route features a variety of urban green spaces as well as numerous Charlotte landmarks (Stadiums, Convention Center, Museums). Begin from the Convention Center, and head through The Green towards the Bank of America Stadium (home to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers). Turn right onto Martin Luther King Blvd and run through Romare Bearden Park to enjoy a beautiful skyline view. Get to Fourth Ward Park by taking N Church St, to continue to explore Charlotte’s urban parks. Follow 7th St. and then take a right onto N Brevard St. Run by the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets Arena and head to Marshall Park. After you enjoy the duck pond at Marshall Park, follow E Stonewall St past the NASCAR Hall of Fame back to the start.
Booty Loop
3.0 mile loop. Start: Freedom Park Tennis Courts MAP
Nice Add-On: Freedom Park trails
This is the most well-known running loop in Charlotte. Joggers from all over the Queen City turn lap after lap on this three-mile route, affectionately called the Booty Loop. This loop runs through the idyllic Myers Park neighborhood featuring tall oaks, well-manicured lawns, large tudors and historic mansions lining curvy, hilly roads. Begin heading North on Queens Rd W, then take a right on Hopedale Ave. Rejoin Queens Rd. and immediately bear right. Follow Queens Rd. as it loops through this beautiful neighborhood back to the start. A nice add-on includes the trails of Freedom Park, which can be made into a loop of nearly 2 miles.
Trolley Trail
3.5 miles one-way. Start: any point along the trail. MAP
Charlotte’s Trolley Trail runs along the Light Rail and winds through the heart of downtown. The 3.5 mile paved path runs from Uptown Charlotte to South End, passing breweries, art galleries, and a cool collection of hip eateries and popular sports bars along the way. The northernmost point is off E 9th Street between N College St. and N Brevard St. The southernmost point is at the corner of South Blvd. and Clanton Rd. The trail can be joined at any point, depending on where you’re staying. You can always run one way and take the trolley back!
Dilworth Loop
5.5 mile loop Start: Marshall Park MAP
Dilworth was Charlotte’s first streetcar suburb. The streets of Dilworth feature stately, mature oak trees as well as Queen Anne, colonial revival and Victorian homes. This 5.5 mile route begins Uptown in Marshall Park (right next to the Nascar Hall of Fame) and runs down Little Sugar Creek Greenway to Freedom Park. Along the greenway, enjoy Little Sugar Creek stream where soft-shell turtles, ducks and blue herons thrive. From Freedom park, use Cumberland Ave until you hit East Boulevard and turn left. Take a right onto Dilworth Road and admire the historic homes. Run through Latta Park, then take Mytle Ave back to Uptown.
In addition to the specific route we’ve proscribed, a great option is to run along the lovely residential roads of this stately neighborhood — Ideal Way, Magnolia Ave — you get the picture. Bound by South Blvd. to the West, I-277 to the north, and S. King Rd./Queens Rd. to the east.
Suburban Running Delight: Sharon Rd. West-Gleneagles Rd.
3 miles one-way. Start: any point but Sharon Rd. W. transit station. MAP
About 10 miles south of downtown, one of the more pleasant ‘straight shot” running areas through pleasant residential neighborhoods is to take Sharon Rd. West to Gleneagles Rd. From the Sharon Rd. West transit station, it’s 3 miles one-way, crossing Park Rd. onto Gleneagles Rd. and running along the Quail Hollow Country Club.
Further Afield
- U.S. National Whitewater Center
- McAlpine Creek Park
- Mallard and Clark Creek Greenways
- McMullen Creek Greenway to 4 Mile Creek Greenway
- Anne Close Springs Greenway
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy MAP
Charlotte is also home to U.S. National Whitewater Center the official Olympic Training Center for whitewater slalom racing. This center is located about 20 minutes West of Uptown. Explore over 20 miles of woodland trails extending along the Catawba River. While you’re there, you may also be interested in whitewater rafting, kayaking, zip lining, canoeing, rock climbing and mountain biking.
McAlpine Creek Park
5K Loop. MAP
Local runners consistently recommend visiting the marked 5K championship cross-county course at McAlpine Creek Park. Located only 15 minutes southeast from Uptown, it is a great place to find a serene run. Enter at the Monroe Road entrance and swing by the park-ranger station to check out a course map.
Mallard and Clark Creek Greenways
Numerous Trail Options. Start: Kirk Farm Park near the University of North Carolina at Charlotte which is 12 miles northeast of uptown. MAP
One of the longest stretches of greenway in Charlotte, Mallard Creek and Clark Creek connect for just over 7 miles of uninterrupted running trail. These greenways are mostly shaded, paved and gravel surface trails that follow their namesake creeks closely, providing a pleasant place to enjoy a long run in a more natural setting than a typical road route. It is also reachable by the #11 bus from uptown, which takes ~30 minutes and runs every 30 minutes.
McMullen Creek Greenway to 4 Mile Creek Greenway
5.8 mile one-way RT Start: 3185 Pineville-Mathews Rd. MAP
McMullen Creek Greenway is a 5.8 mile, well-shaded escape from the nearby population center that’s grown up along the south end of 485, about 10 miles south of the city. The greenway surface is a combination of crushed gravel, pavement and wood boardwalks. While you run, you will enjoy the uninterrupted path, stay cool under a canopy of trees and be serenaded by the birds and frogs that live along the creeks. This greenway is well signed but can get a little confusing as it changes names three times. Beginning at the entrance on Pineville-Mathews Road, it is called McMullen Creek Greenway. As it turns to make a “U”, it becomes Lower McAlpine Greenway. The final stretch is called Four Mile Creek Greenway.
Anne Close Springs Greenway
The ASC Greenway is home to 2,300 acres of hardwood forests, prairies, creeks, streams, lakes and ponds protected by a conservation easement in perpetuity. The Greenway has over 30 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, historical cabins, a grist mill with working waterwheel, and a nature center filled with wildlife and historical exhibits. Located in Fort Mills, great trail running is only about 30 minutes South of Uptown. Our map has information on loop options of various lengths and topographies.
Stay
The majority of hotels are located in Uptown. Bank of America and Wells Fargo headquarters are located here. All of the ‘iconic’ routes in this guide are accessible from Uptown, with the Parks and Stadiums Loop being most convenient. A few hotels are located near the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The closest route to these hotels is Mallard Creek and Clark Creek Greenway. Additional hotels are located at the junction of interstate 485 and 77. From this location, the Anne Springs Close and McMullen Greenways are nearby. Finally, the Airport is located to the West of the city. If staying at an airport hotel without a car your best bet is to use The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) that runs from the Airport to Uptown.
Stores and Group Runs
See running overview map for store locations. Green icons have group runs. Click on it for location, directions, and details on group runs.
Stores
Charlotte Running Co. Dilworth, South Charlotte, Northlake and Lake Norman.
Group runs: from Dilworth Store on Monday at 6:30 Pick Your Distance Run — 4, 6, or 8 miles.
The Ultra Running Company Myers Park and SouthEnd. The Ultra Running Company is the most trusted provider of holistic running knowledge, products and experiences in the market.
Run for your Life Midtown, Piper Glen, and University
Running Clubs and Group Runs
Charlotte Running Club Offers a variety of group runs every day of the week. See website for details on meeting points and distances.
Charlotte Runners Offers a multiple group runs every day except Wednesday. Numerous brewery runs offer visitors fun routes and delicious craft beers. See website for details on meeting points and distances.
US National Whitewater River Ram Run on Thursday night runs. 1.5, 3, and 6 mile options. Stick around to enjoy the live music at River Jam. Meets at 6:30pm at the Trail Center.
Events
Charlotte has running events seemingly all week long. There’s almost always something.
Events Calendars #1. Events Calendar #2
Some of the major events are:
Charlotte Race Fest April. Half marathon, 10K, and 5K.
Charlotte Marathon November. Formerly the Thunder Road Marathon. Also Half Marathon, Relay and 5K.
Firecracker 5K July. In celebration of Independence Day.
Charlotte 10 Miler February. Also a 4 mile run.
Trail Race 13, 9, 4 Miles January.
