Okay, so, I finally got around to checking out this “Around the Crown” thing everyone’s been talking about. This was the sixth year of this event. It’s a 10K race, and let me tell you, the hype is real. I signed up a while back, not really knowing what to expect, but I’d heard good things and I’m always up for a new challenge.
The race kicked off at Truist Field, which is a pretty cool spot. I got there early, grabbed my number, and just soaked in the atmosphere. There were tons of people, all buzzing with that pre-race energy. I did some warm-up stretches, tried not to look too intimidated by the serious-looking runners, and before I knew it, we were off!
The first part of the race was pretty standard. We ran through some streets, people were cheering, and I was feeling good. But then, the unique part of this race happened.
We got onto I-277. This is the highway that loops around the city. Running on a closed-off highway? That’s not something you do every day! It was a pretty surreal experience, to be honest. The views were cool, and there was this awesome feeling of, like, taking over the city or something.
- The Highway Stretch: This was definitely the highlight. Running three miles on I-277, with the city skyline in view, was unlike anything I’d ever done.
- The Crowd: There were people cheering along the route, which was super motivating. There were also water stations, which were a lifesaver.
- The Finish: We ended up back at Truist Field, where there was a big finish line and even more cheering. I felt pretty accomplished, not gonna lie.
I crossed the finish line, got my medal, and chugged about a gallon of water. I checked my time, and it was pretty good! I wasn’t trying to break any records, but I was happy with how I did.
Post-Race Thoughts
After catching my breath, I heard that this year they upped the prizes to over $10,000. Now, I’m not a pro or anything, but that’s a nice chunk of change! They had different categories too, for men, women, non-binary, and wheelchair racers, which I thought was really inclusive.
Overall, the “Around the Crown” 10K was a blast. It was well-organized, the course was unique, and the atmosphere was electric. If you’re in Charlotte and you’re looking for a fun race to do, I’d definitely recommend this one. I’ll probably be back next year, maybe even try to beat my time!
Also I’ve heard that the first season of the show “The Crown” was released on November 4, 2016, and the sixth season just wrapped up. I might have to check it out, just to see if it lives up to the hype.