Robert Stricklin, Get Your Rear in Gear

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. and the “Get Your Rear In Gear” run is designed to raise awareness and money for area colon cancer patients and screenings.
Robert Stricklin, a colon cancer survivor from right here in Charlotte, He helps to organize the local event which is not just about running, but also making it easier for folks to talk about cancer that affects a pretty “private” part of the body.

Robert, welcome to the Running Around Charlotte podcast!

Bryan Jenkins & Eric Cone – Run Signup

As of this recording, we are just back from our annual pilgrimage to Running USA – the trade show for the running and endurance events industry. 

Yes, it’s great to catch up with folks in the business and check the greater pulse of the industry as a whole. It’s even better to bring information back that can help us bring a better experience to runners like you. 

One of the teams that keeps tabs on the big picture of the industry is our partner, Run Signup. They’ve just published their annual industry report, too. Bryan Jenkins from Run Signup is here to help us get into that data. He’s our guest here on the Running Around Charlotte Podcast.

Welcome to the program.


Industry Reports

Winston Watson; teacher, parent, NHCM finisher

The marathon starting line is FULL of stories about how and why people got there, and we’re always fishing for ones that will inspire, motivate, and entertain folks. 

When we asked this year’s Novant Health Charlotte Marathon participants who’d be willing to share THEIR stories… we were flooded with responses. Our next guest on the Running Around Charlotte podcast is one of those who answered our call.

Introducing himself as THE AMAZING WINSTON WATSON – in all caps – we knew we’d have to get him on the program. Winston, thanks for joining us on the Running Around Charlotte Podcast.

Ronald Rule, self-discipline weight loss story, NHCM finisher

This is the time of year when many of us make resolutions or other promises to be better and do better. The numbers prove, most of us won’t make those resolutions happen. 

That doesn’t mean we’re “bad,” or that we’re “failures.” It often means we didn’t have a “why,” or a proper support system to set us up for success. 

Ronald Rule found his “why,” AND the support system to help him get healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually. So before you go giving up on your plans for the new year, stick around for this episode of the Running Around Charlotte Podcast. 

Ronald, thanks for joining us on the program!

Taylor Pryde Barefoot, pastor & NHCM finisher

Everyone has their own reasons for running. Some of us keep our reasons to ourselves… others have the opportunity to share their stories, never knowing the impact they can have on other people. 

Taylor Barefoot took advantage of a unique opportunity ahead of this year’s Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, when she allowed the Charlotte Observer to tell HER story in advance of her first marathon. 

Maybe you read it? She overcame more than just the training schedule and her role as a pastor at one of Charlotte’s largest churches to make it to the start line. She’s our guest today on the Running Around Charlotte Podcast to tell the rest of the story in her own words. 

Taylor – thank you for joining us on the program!

Miller Yoho, Charlotte Sports Foundation

Despite the performance of some of our local teams of late, we think it’s still fair to say Charlotte is a sports town. There’s plenty to prove that; from pro teams to Division 1, 2, and 3 college sports in the area… to the busy fields, gyms, pools, and races. 

Sports is big business, too. Generating MILLIONS of dollars in direct spending and local economic impact. And don’t get us started on the impact sports plays in the nonprofit space. 

One of the drivers behind some of that impact is The Charlotte Sports Foundation. They’re the mind and muscle behind the Duke’s Mayo Classic, the Jumpman Invitational, and others. 

Miller Yoho is Director of Communications and Marketing for the Charlotte Sports Foundation. He’s a runner, too… Miller welcome to the show! 

Philip Sanford, CLT Running Club President

The Charlotte running community continues to evolve. And with it, so do the many area events, run clubs, retailers, and so on who serve that community. 

The Charlotte Running Club is changing, too. Not only has the Club grown along with the community, it’s finding more ways to be a PART of that community. Another change is at the top of the club, where Philip Sanford is the new president. 

Philip, welcome to The Running Around Charlotte Podcast.

Bret Albers, Fleet Feet

The Charlotte running store scene is changing again. Maybe you’ve even noticed a new sign there on Providence Road at the site of the former UltraRunning Company. 

Our next guest on the Running Around Charlotte Podcast has the scoop on that… Brett Albers is the operating partner for Fleet Feet here in Charlotte and Fort Mill. Brett welcome to the show.

Mark Janik, Destination Marathons

There’s nothing like running in your own hometown. Waking up in your own bed. Enjoying breakfast in your own kitchen. Coming home to crash on your own couch… you get it.

It’s also pretty cool to run an out-of-town event, and traveling to someplace you’ve never been, and experiencing everything that “different” place has to offer. 

But there is, of course, the headaches that come with all of that “unknown territory.” And that’s where Mark Janik saw an opportunity.

Mark, welcome to the Running Around Charlotte Podcast!

Lindsey McGee, NHCM Ambassador & PAWS Social Club

We’ve talked to many a guest here on The Running Around Charlotte Podcast who’ve shared stories about how running helped them meet new people. 

Our next guest is on the program has a little bit of that to her story… and she’s also paying it forward, helping folks AND their dogs make new friends. 

Lindsey McGee has managed to mix a few things she’s very passionate about, and turn them into an award-winning new business. Lindsey welcome to the Running Around Charlotte Podcast!