Are you a Smarty runner looking for some cool races to get your competitive juices flowing? Boy do we have the ticket for you! One of our favorite running stores, Run for Your Life, and favorite running series, GPx, have teamed up with Asics to present the best nine “short races” – 5Ks to 15Ks – in the Carolinas! We’re super excited about this Smarty partnership because we plan to keep you in the know on all the events leading up to each race in our Smarty Scoop Wednesday series as well as our Smarty Pants Cares series, so be sure to check them out often.
The Run for Your Life Grand Prix Series presented by Asics is committed to delivering lots of perks when you compete in their races:
–Baby Jogger Divisions at every event – this makes for a family-friendly event for all to enjoy.
–Either a 1-mile or Kids Fun Run (100-500 yards) at every event. These will be very handy as your kids grow older and learn to appreciate your love of running. True story – Ansley’s debut run was last fall at the LungStrong race where she participated in the 1-mile Fun Run. Ansley begged my sister to run with her (since I was insane and ran the 15K!) and she quickly obliged. I waited for them at the finish line thinking they would be rolling in hand-in-hand. Not the case at all. Ansley was running up the hill in 3rd place, face as red as a tomato, and my sister was nowhere in site! Ansley beat her fair and square, which in hindsight, was her mission from the start. I have to say, I’m quite impressed with her competitive drive already – wonder where she gets that from?!
–MINIMUM of $1,000 door prizes at every event (love free stuff!!)
–Premium adult and youth tee-shirts
–Deluxe awards at every race including a prize for all kids who participate in the Fun Runs.
–The biggest and best post-race celebrations including free food, drinks, interactive games, sponsor booths and more. My favorite post-race celebration is the Twilight 5K – love that it ends very conveniently at the pubs uptown right at the height of happy hour!
-One event every month from March through October (this is to keep you from falling off the wagon!).
–Every race gives back to the community to a designated non-profit beneficiary (now that’s Super Smarty!)
-Events take place all over the greater Charlotte area.
If you are a competitive runner, know that by finishing at least five of the nine races makes you eligible for an award and tons of prizes given at the end of the series. Every finisher earns points regardless of their time or place and at the end of the year, the top three in each award category get invited to the series banquet where over $13,500 in cash and awards are given out.
To find out all the skinny on events/dates/registration, go to www.runforyourlife.com. Let’s get in shape and have a blast while doing it!
4 comments
I have to say, I absolutely LOVE Run For Your Life. I go there for ALL my running shoes and find the staff to be the best at fitting me properly, which is SO important when you are training. Also, as a mom trying to get back into "fighting shape" I would encourage those of you interested to sign up for an event(s). Having a race to train for gives you the incentive to hit the ground running every day, literally. And it makes you feel so much better, increases your energy & helps you drop the LBS fast! Hope to pass you out there running soon!
When you’re ready to run another 5k I just might join you. Let me know if you’ve got any specific ones on your radar.
I will absolutely do the Twilight Race on 5/8 – LOVE that race:-)
Run For Your Life is definitely the top running store in Charlotte. They absolutely have the most expertise when it comes to fitting you in the “right” shoe based on your foot type and running stride. Additionally, the original owner, Larry Frederick and current owner, Tim Rhodes are responsible for developing the running community in Charlotte. They’ve invested so much of their time and energy to make this a running city. They races that put on are some of the best in the city. Love them!