Shine Up Your Jingle Bells! Aound the Crown 10K Has a New Date!

Any distance runner knows training for a road race is no short-term task, and any race director knows planning a road race can have its “moments.” But both also know that despite setbacks, you have to keep moving forward towards that goal.

In that spirit, Charlotte’s up-and-coming landmark road race, Around the Crown 10K, has a new date. After COVID-19 postponed the date set in May, runners will now get their chance to see the best slow view of uptown Charlotte from I-277 on Sunday, December 6, 2020.

Partners for Parks is the race’s main beneficiary. Proceeds from the race support programs to enhance county parks, greenways, and recreation centers, including Partners for Parks’ signature event, Open Streets 704. Runners can also make donations directly to Partners for Parks when they sign up for the race.

“It feels good, in a time of uncertainty, to be moving forward with a new date,” says Around the Crown 10K co-founder Brian Mister. “I feel like a weight has been lifted and we can focus on making it a great race.”

And before your Southern roots suggest this might be a chilly day for a race, consider that the first week of December in Charlotte generally has high temperatures in the upper 50’s — perfect “running weather.”

Mister knows this because… he checked. In fact, he looked up weather for December 6 for the past six years, and it looks like a good day for a race. Whew.

“December weather for Charlotte is pretty good,” he says. “It’s not hurricane season, it’s not too hot, and it usually doesn’t snow.” Fingers crossed, Brian!

There are a few other reasons December 6 made a good date, after considering all of the other Sundays in the fall that DON’T have Panthers games, because of logistics. First, it’s the weekend of the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. You may recall that the inaugural ATC10K ran the morning after the Belk Bowl Kickoff game, and the events dovetailed nicely. Mister says the working relationship with Charlotte Sports Foundation is a good one, and the new date continues that collaboration.

The new date also allows a great partnership for the packet pick-up and Expo to continue at Camp North End. The fun, family-friendly Expo was a big part of the inaugural race weekend with its live music, food trucks, and vendors market focused on health & wellness, and sustainability. The new date coincides with the holiday-themed Mistletoe Market at Camp North End, too.

“We love our Expo,” explains Sponsorship Director Brittany Yoho. “We wanted to share this community of wellness and sustainability, and it was a great experience to have it on a Saturday when everyone could come.” Expect music from the Mike Strauss Band and Sinners & Saints, and a Kids’ .277 mile fun run to highlight the day. And yes, there’s free parking.

Sponsors also get another 6 months of exposure, says Yoho, making the new date attractive for them, too.

“Sponsors are really excited we have a new date, and have been really supportive,” says Yoho. “And a new date will also allow some new sponsors on board,” she adds. “They’re excited to be part of something great.”

And for the rest of us? Six more months to train — just in case you haven’t been as consistent about going for runs during the stay at home order as you’d like to be. Even better? There’s a first-timers club with a $20 registration fee for anyone who’s never run a race before. You can even follow a specialized training plan created by sponsors at OrthoCarolina — and yes, there’s even one for beginners!

So what’s stopping you? Register today, and get a great view of uptown from the ground, while supporting Partners for Parks.