CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Sports Foundation announced Tuesday it has acquired the rights to the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, a move intended to stabilize and expand the city’s premier distance-running event.
The acquisition comes on the heels of a record-breaking year for the race. The 2025 marathon saw more than 11,000 participants, the largest field in the event’s 21-year history.
By bringing the marathon under its umbrella, the Charlotte Sports Foundation (CSF) aims to leverage its experience with high-profile sporting events to increase the race’s national profile.
“The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon is more than a race; it’s a celebration of our city, its neighborhoods and the people who show up for each other,” CSF Chief Executive Officer Will Pitts said in a statement. “We’re honored to be at the helm of an event with such deep community roots.”
The foundation, a nonprofit organization responsible for major local events such as the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and the ACC Football Championship Game, plans to apply lessons learned from its 2024 launch of the Meck Mile to the marathon. While the CSF will oversee operations, Novant Health will remain the title sponsor.
Andrea Smith, co-chair of the CSF Board of Directors, said the goal is to grow the event’s scale and impact while enhancing the experience for runners.
The race has undergone several transformations since its inception. Founded in 2005 as the Thunder Road Marathon to honor the region’s racing heritage, it was rebranded as the Charlotte Marathon in 2015. Novant Health joined as the title sponsor the following year.
In addition to the 26.2-mile marathon, the event includes a half marathon and a 5K.
Registration is currently open for the 22nd annual race, which is scheduled for Nov. 14, 2026. Organizers said additional details regarding race enhancements and route information will be released in the coming months.
