The Rosy Wanderer

Around the Crown 10K is one of my favorite events. For some reason, running on 277 is just hilarious to me, and I have been lucky enough to participate every year (except 2020) since it was created in 2018. The race is always held on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, and the city closes down the inner lanes of I-277 around Uptown Charlotte. I earned my 10K PR here in 2021, missed a new one in 2022, so I was out to earn a new one in 2023.

The Expo

The event organizers do a great job with the entire event, and I like how they are trying to create a community. This year, the expo was held at Camp North End, a new market-like place just north of Uptown. I went to the expo last year, and it is neat. I opted this year to have my packet mailed because it’s hard to get there on Saturday when I want to be at the lake for the long weekend. It would also be more fun to go if I had friends running the race. You can make a full afternoon of this event, which can be fun for people during their Labor Day holiday.

Logistics

This day ended up being interesting for all of the wrong reasons. I left my house around 6 am to try to get free street parking (Charlotte’s street parking is free on the weekend) and because I thought it started at 7:04 am. That is wrong – it starts at 7:30, so I was really confused when no one was lining up!

Anyway, just as I was pulling off of I-77, my car engine started heating up and told me to pull over. I was quite nervous but very lucky I could park where I was planning to. I figured there wasn’t anything I could do about it at that time. After some quick Googling, I knew I had to let the engine cooldown. I didn’t want to call my dad and wake him about something he couldn’t do anything about. I had been training hard and really wanted a PR – that’s what I needed to focus on. I could sort out my car later.

Since the race starts at Truist Stadium (where the Charlotte Knight’s play baseball), the stadium lets everyone use the restrooms, which is so nice! The city was also lit up in the ATC10K colors – this team does branding so well!

The Race

My previous PR was 1:06:51. My magic mile predicts that I can do a 10K much faster than that, but I haven’t been able to sustain that pace. My goal was to run 60/20 second intervals the entire time which should give me a PR. I was so nervous at the beginning of this race, but I knew if I was steady, I could do it. Just focus on the intervals! I knew I could do it. Somehow, the race director was also able to pull out some AMAZING weather in North Carolina on Labor Day weekend. I’m not sure how that happened because it was only 17C and 81% humidity. Last year, it was very hot and humid, so I think that really impacted my performance which is why I didn’t earn another PR even though I was training very consistently.

Anyway, the race eventually started. I was bummed they didn’t play the national anthem, but they just started us out. This race is getting bigger and bigger. I think they had the most people ever in 2023 (4,677 people!), so the beginning was really crowded. At some point, they are going to have to implement waves because it’s too hard to find your way in the beginning.

We start Uptown and work our way out on to 277 from Church Street, so you end up going backwards from what you would as a car getting on the inner going north. Once you get on the highway, the road opens up, and it is really fun because lots of people cheer from the roads over 277. I listened to podcasts and just tried to stay focused on my intervals.

Since they try to be green, the water stops on this race are limited and frustrating. I opted to bring my hydration pack, which was a good move. I didn’t have to worry about it and was able to get water when I needed it.

Right before mile 4 is a HUGE hill. They call it the Queen’s Climb, which I think is funny. They turned this into a challenge to see who can climb it the fastest, but I remember the first year everyone was complaining. Since you never walk that road, you don’t realize how hilly it is – and this hill is a killer! I was happy that I made it up successfully with my intervals. Shortly after finishing, you turn off the highway and make your way back through Uptown.

The Finish

Eventually, I crossed the finish line at 1:03:25, earning a brand new PR in the 10K! I was so excited and so happy! I was tired, but I knew I tried my hardest. I stuck to my intervals and was able to do it. Another phase of training was done.

The medals all have a similar look year-to-year, and I was excited to add it to my collection. I really liked the look of it this year because it clearly said the name of the race. They had lots of snacks at the end along with local beer, which I didn’t have. I wish that I liked drinking beer after a race because lord knows every Charlotte race highlights them!

Even though I was basking in my happiness, I knew I had to turn back to reality and sort out my car situation. Luckily my dad and brother came to my rescue. I ended up having a leak in a fluid container, so they helped me fill it with water and antifreeze so I could drive it home and then to the car shop. The week before I was being cocky, and I said how wonderful my car was because it never had any problems. That was God’s way of teaching me a lesson in humility. Even though I earned a new PR, it is because of the blessing God has given me and being consistent. So many people are there to help and encourage me in my running journey, and I am so grateful to all of them for their support. I want to keep striving to be better and to help support others who are out there doing this.

Bottom Line: Around the Crown 10K would be an awesome race-cation for anyone looking for something fun over Labor Day weekend!