The 22nd annual Novant Health Charlotte Marathon is set to draw a record-breaking crowd to the streets of Uptown this Saturday, Nov. 14.
Organizers confirmed that more than 13,250 runners have registered for the event, marking the largest iteration of the race in the city’s history, according to Yahoo Sports.
The influx of participants is expected to create significant logistical challenges for the city.
The event will impact dozens of roads throughout the Uptown area, as reported by WSOC-TV.
The race schedule begins with the Chick-fil-A 5K at 7:10 a.m., followed by the Marathon and Half Marathon at 7:20 a.m.
To signal the start of the competition, Carolina Panthers legend and NFL Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly will serve as the official race starter and Grand Marshal, per Yahoo Sports.
The field of participants highlights the event’s growing reach, with runners traveling from 47 states and several countries, including Canada, Mexico, Germany, and Bermuda.
Despite the international interest, local support remains strong, as approximately 70% of those registered are residents of North Carolina.
Beyond the traditional race events, organizers have expanded the programming for this year’s installment.
Grammy-nominated artist Waka Flocka Flame has partnered with the marathon to host Waka’s Flock Run.
The collaboration will also feature an official post-race wellness party scheduled for Saturday, according to details provided by Yahoo Sports.
Local authorities have advised residents and commuters to remain aware of the extensive road closures and traffic patterns that will be in effect throughout the morning hours.
The wide-ranging impact of the race on the city’s infrastructure remains a focal point for local officials as they manage the record number of visitors and athletes arriving in the Queen City for the weekend festivities.