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Charlotte Marathon

Charlotte, NC
Saturday, November 14, 2026


  4.4 Stars from 9 Reviews

Course Description
From the Race Organizers - Runners experience the sights and sounds of the Southeast’s fastest growing city, including the Queen City’s signature tree lined streets, historic landmarks, major sporting venues and the most eclectic neighborhood parties. The race finishes in the heart of Uptown Charlotte at Truist Park. With entertainment along the course, major headliners at the finish line festival, and five distance options, it’s a race for all runners!

November Other Marathons in November Other Marathons in North Carolina Marathons near Charlotte, NC



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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Saturday, November 14, 2026
2025: Saturday, November 15, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: Yes

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 52°F (11°C)
Average High: 64°F (17°C)
Average Low: 40° F (4°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 97.72
Course Score: 97.72

Race Size

2025: 2,647 Finishers
2024: 2,051 Finishers
2023: 1,486 Finishers
2022: 1,068 Finishers
2021: 810 Finishers
2020: No Results

BQ Percentages

2025: 3.4%
2024: 4.6%
2023: 6.3%
2022: 3.9%
2021: 8.4%
2020: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 15 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 60°F  (16°C)
Low: 38°F  (3°C)

Race Start Conditions

41°F  (5°C)
Humidity: 72%

Clear
N 4 mph

PR Score

97.46

Course Score

97.7






Charlotte Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Charlotte Marathon was the 35th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 37th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 3.4% of Charlotte Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 4.6% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Charlotte Marathon ranked 355th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 321st in 2024. In North Carolina, it ranked 10th in 2025 and 11th in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The Charlotte Marathon has a Course Score of 97.72, ranking it as the 371st fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 10th fastest marathon course in North Carolina.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Charlotte Marathon a PR Score of 97.72. The PR Score ranks the Charlotte Marathon as the 313th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 9th best marathon for a PR in North Carolina.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Charlotte Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and North Carolina for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Charlotte Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed371st fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 10th fastest marathon course in North Carolina
Top 80% Nationally#10 of 16 in North Carolina
PR Potential313th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 9th best marathon for a PR in North Carolina
Top 68% Nationally#9 of 16 in North Carolina
Boston Qualifier Rate355th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 10th highest BQ percentage in North Carolina
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 75% Nationally#10 of 13 in North Carolina
Race Size35th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 1st largest marathon in North Carolina
Based on 2025 results
Top 6% Nationally#1 of 16 in North Carolina

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 772 feet (235m)
Min Elevation: 617 feet (188m)

Elevation Gain: 1044 feet (318m)
Elevation Loss: 1046 feet (318m)


Charlotte

Course updated 06/15/2026




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Race Reviews


4.4
Based on 9 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Great community support!

Full Review:

Really well organized. Map was available ahead of time, so you could see the elevation gain and loss. Lots of volunteers and amazing enthusiasm from the neighborhoods. So much fun!

Race Tips:

Make sure to train on hills!
Reviewed by JD About 2025

Big City race- awesome

Full Review:

Yes there were rolling hills, but the only real hill was at mile 24, and even that one was not serious. I think this race will blow up huge- big city, beautiful course, mostly flattish, great expo.

Race Tips:

Ok, at corral F, 320 S. Tryon is a food court called Lapatt Alley. It is unlocked and inside (covered). The restaurants are not open, but if you need shelter before the start for cold or rain, this is free and right at the start.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Airport is a $20 uber from downtown. Easy travel.
Reviewed by WER About 2025

Fun Time at the Charlotte Marathon

Full Review:

Great well organized race. Everyone comments that the course is hilly but it really was not too bad. There were rolling hills the whole way but nothing super steep or too long. The course is well marked and there are a lot of volunteers at every turn. Good crowd support in the different neighborhoods. Awesome after part in a park downtown. Very cool!

Race Tips:

I live in a very flat part of Ohio so I added a hill workout one day a week running back and forth over a tall bridge over a river. It was all I needed to get ready for Charlotte's hills. My time was 7 minutes under my BQ time!

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Tons of hotels downtown within walking distance of the start, finish and expo! We walked out the front door of our hotel and right into our starting coral. After the race, there were tons of restaurants within walking distance of our hotel to celebrate! Awesome city for a marathon!
Reviewed by GWL About 2024

Well Organized-Amazing Fans-Hills

Full Review:

I live local, which is why I chose to run this race for the first time. It was very well organized and the fan support was incredible the entire marathon distance! The finish line was great, lots of entertainment for spectators and finishers. Great time of year for race weather.

Race Tips:

Hills! I live local so I do train on hills, but I don't care to race them. I decided to not race the course but relax and enjoy it, and I absolutely did. Don't plan to PR and plan to be a little more sore than your average flat course.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Check the race route before you decide to park to make sure you can get in/out before and after the race. Parking was not an issue even with thousands of runners.
Reviewed by DMG About 2024

Hilly but GREAT crowd support

Full Review:

I knew it was rolling hills going into it so I trained for that. I was shocked by the record turnout and the amount of crowd support throughout the entire marathon.
Reviewed by MP About 2024

Too many turns

Full Review:

The marathon is extremely well run, and the first half takes you through beautiful neighborhoods with lots of crowd support. The back half SUCKS! The crowd support falls off; and the course is just a series of hills and quick turns - I felt like a rat in a maze. I live in CLT and I won't bother driving down town to run it again.
Reviewed by EPH About 2017

Full Review:

The Charlotte community was great. I loved the architecture and sculptures throughout the city. The marathon course was gently rolling, but the last mile was really tough, up a big hill, busy road, and (not the race's fault) very windy. It was a tough course as far as hills are concerned, but definitely easier than Atlanta hils.
Reviewed by MC About 2016

Full Review:

The first half of the marathon is awesome - beautiful neighborhoods, great crowd support, etc. but the back half gets a little lonely. There are some rolling hills but nothing too hateful; although I would say the final mile being uphill on a busy street was not particularly fun. Lastly, the two times I've ran this there has been a pretty strong headwind from about mile 11 to 18 so be prepared.

Race Tips:

I had a problem with my GPS getting lost during the 2 times in the city so I showed as running 26.83 instead of 26.2 which really altered my perceived pace - I missed my goal by of under 4 hours when I finished 4:00:50
Reviewed by JMC About 2016

Full Review:

Beautiful course with rolling hills, awesome fan support, ample water/gatorade stations along the route and porte-potties, well organized, great finisher medal.

Race Tips:

Train hills! No hill is super steep or long, but there aren't really many stretches of flat

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Lots of uptown parking, you can even take the light rail in.
Reviewed by Anonymous About 2016