Training for an event takes perseverance, a plan, and – most importantly – it takes time. Finding the kind of time to train for long-distance and multisport events makes finding time even more of a challenge.

Trying to find time for that kind of training AND work and family is a tall order. Today’s guest on the Running Around Charlotte podcast knows a thing or two about finding that balance. Tia Smith is a runner, triathlete, motivator, mom, and a 2023 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon ambassador.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:37 — 27.1MB)

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Hey, whatcha got going on this weekend? How about a free, fun, and friendly-friendly 5k event where you can run, walk, jog, volunteer or spectate – it’s up to you! It literally happens EVERY Saturday morning at 9 o’clock along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway here in Charlotte.

No, it’s not a “flash mob” or happy accident. This kind of “park run” is literally a global movement to build some community around the idea of movement. Sarah Kline and Mitch Mitchell are event directors for the Little Sugar Creek Greenway’s Park Run. They’re our guests today on the Running Around Charlotte podcast.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:32 — 17.9MB)

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Back in the day, you could time and score all but the biggest events with a Timex and a couple handfuls of popsicle sticks. (Yep. That’s a real thing.) Nowdays, even the smallest events can get world-class timing and scoring, instantaneous results, and cherries on top.

One of the companies that does just that is Start to Finish Event Management. Odds are pretty good, that if you’ve run a race around here – and in a couple of other major markets – you’ve run with Jen Forsyth and the folks from Start 2 Finish.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:48 — 21.8MB)

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If you’re one of those runners who’s just GOT to have your tunes to make the miles melt away, then you’ll love our next guest. Heck, if you’ve been to practically ANY event on the Charlotte running calendar, then you probably already know him.

DJ Rosice Batsui is the bedrock of the local running event experience; providing the soundtrack for the RunCharlotte 6-Pack Series of events and the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:52 — 19.1MB)

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Like many college and university students, Luis Bayon’s undergraduate experience was full of twists and turns, new experiences, changing majors, and self-discovery. But Luis’s journey from business major to yogi has many more detours than most – and it all started when his family picked up and moved from Cuba to North Carolina.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:29 — 22.4MB)

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If you spend any time running at all, you’ll eventually experience a setback. Whether it’s work, family, illness, or injury… very, very few of us skate through without something that slows us down. We could do an entire YEAR’S worth of shows on all the stuff that’s knocked us off schedule.

Our next guest can sympathize. Jeneice Jamison is making her own comeback of sorts. She’s a writer and TV news producer, a runner – of course – and one of this year’s Novant Health Charlotte Ambassadors.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:57 — 13.7MB)

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Philip Sanford was in high school when his mom was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer. She was just 41. As a grown-up, a runner, and an advocate, Sanford has picked up the cause his mother was unable to continue. 

He’s been to Capitol Hill to lobby for better outcomes. He’s also the local director for Charlotte’s colon cancer awareness run, the “Get Your Rear in Gear” 5k. He also happens to be a 2023 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Ambassador – and he’s our guest on this episode of the Running Around Charlotte podcast.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:17 — 18.6MB)

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Our next guest on the Running Around Charlotte podcast fell hard and fast for this whole running thing. Let me read a line from his application to be a NHCM Ambassador:

“I ran my first Charlotte marathon in 2021 and loved it so much I ran the Wilmington marathon 3 months later in February 2022. Then I got into trail running …ran a 24 hour relay on a team of 6 and we placed 2nd in May of 2022. Then I ran the Charlotte marathon again this last year. Training for my first marathon just really brought on this brand new running lifestyle for me.”

Josh Rhodes is the guy who wrote that and we’re excited to meet him and introduce him to you.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:12 — 16.7MB)

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Have you gone seen our RunCharlotte Ambassador Events? Maybe gone on a run with them or heard their stories? Today we’re joined by someone who has been described as the heart and soul of the ambassador team.

Our guest is C.J. Langley. Not only is he a long time ambassador, he’s our new lead amabassdor. And he’s here to tell us what’s new with the team – and hown you can get support from our Ambassador team.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:27 — 24.2MB)

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Spring is a great time to get back into running, or into it for the first time. One of the things that’s great about running around Charlotte (see what I did there?) is that there are plenty of great place to run, and people to run with.

Whether you’re new to the local running scene or not, the Charlotte Running Club is one of the ways you can connect with who, what, and where to run in the area. Eric Smith is a long-time member and part of the executive board there. He’s our guest today on the Running Around Charlotte podcast.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:30 — 19.7MB)

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