Chris Christakos | Novant Health

We run for our health, great fitness, and yes… for our life. Which is why we like to check in with our Novant Health physicians, who also help us stay healthy. Dr. Chris Christakos is a sport medicine doctor, and he joins us now for Running Around Charlotte with some tips for running fitness.

Shannon Houlihan | Para Guide Foundation

Running a marathon is a big enough challenge for most people, but now imagine you are running the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon with a visual impairment that doesn’t let you see the crowd, or bumps in the road, or other obstacles as clearly as the other runners. Para Guides exists for just that reason. Shannon Houlihan is a triathlete who wanted to help others, so she and another runner started the Para Guide Foundation to help visually impaired athletes.

Dr. Keith Anderson | Novant Health

We know runners are some of the healthiest folks around Charlotte, as long as they’re eating right and being smart about their training. But race day is something else entirely! Dr. Keith Anderson of Novant Health is the Medical Director for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon and he joins us on this episode of Running Around Charlotte

 

Tara Lane | Fox 46

We’ve been blessed with some great weather for our Charlotte marathons, and we want to keep the streak going this year. We’ve brought on just the person to keep us informed, too – Tara Lane is a runner, and a meteorologist for our media sponsor, Fox 46.

Lindsey Fronk & Jessica Osborn | Hemby Children’s Hospital

Hemby Children’s Hospital — located at Novant Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte’s Elizabeth neighborhood — is the marathon’s beneficiary. And if you’ve ever had a sick child admitted to the hospital, you’re absolutely grateful for the care they get and want it to be the best possible. We do too. Joining us now to tell us more about how the Charlotte Marathon helps sick children, is Lindsey Fronk and Jessica Osborn from Hemby Children’s Hospital. Thanks for being here.

Joe Gaither | Feetures

If you really want to “sock it to the competition” in the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon this year, you’ll need the right footwear. Not just shoes — but the right socks, too. Feetures socks were created in 2002 with the “sole” focus of being the best performance socks in the world, and they’re made right here in the Carolinas. Joe Gaither from Feetures drops by the podcast to share what makes them so special. 

Joe Schlereth | Run For You

You’ve got under four months left to prepare for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. What do you do? Run like heck? Or more?

We know a guy who can answer that question and many more, and he’s one of ours. Joe Schlereth runs the Run For You training program here at Run for Your Life, and is right with you on your countdown to race day. Welcome Joe!

Kevin Young | Speed for Need

A marathon is a long and grueling event for even the most experienced runners, but if you can do it, it’s well worth the effort. Have you ever thought, ‘Gosh, I’d like to share this feeling with someone who CAN’T run a marathon’? If you have, you’ll want to hear about ‘Speed for Need’ from the F3 Nation. F3 is a workout group of men who focus on Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith — those are the 3 F’s — but the goal goes beyond getting in shape. The group shapes leaders, too, and Speed for Need is one of the ways they raise awareness and foster inclusion of those with a special needs through participation in fitness events. 

Brad Stubbs | Marathon Ambassador

Do you love running? Do you love to TALK about running? Do you like to talk about running more than you like to run — or do you just love Charlotte? If you said yes to any of these questions — really, ANY of them — you could be a good Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassador.

Just like the name sounds, an ambassador is someone who encourages others to get excited about running — whether it’s someone who’s run lots of marathons, or someone who is getting up the nerve to train for their first 5k. And of course, they’re go getters who love people and love bringing them together to do things.. like, say… run! We have one with us today on the Running Around Charlotte podcast — Brad Stubbs is THAT guy who is always saying “yes” to encouraging others.

Laureen Jenkins | Project Outpour

The weather is getting warmer and we’re breaking a sweat now — especially when we run — and doesn’t a nice, warm shower feel good after a hot, sweaty run? Of course it does! But for our neighbors who don’t have permanent shelter in our city, a shower is a luxury they often do without. Imagine what your day — or your week — would be like, without a shower.

Laureen Jenkins understands that showers are one thing that can bring a homeless neighbor a feeling of dignity — something they often don’t feel on the streets. And showers are hard to find. So Laureen created Project Outpour and as of May 15th, got the group’s first shower trailer up and running on the streets of Charlotte. She’ll also bring it out the the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon in November, so you can take a look.