Night of Miles - A night of Underground racing

What better way to celebrate Global Running Day than with an underground parking lot takeover filled with multiple race heats, relays, shoe demos, music, and delicious snacks? Night of Miles at Charlotte Running Company’s Promenade location did just that, and, in addition to all the fun, money was raised for a great cause, and winners went home with cold, hard cash.

Global Running Day is a worldwide celebration of movement for all ages and paces, and a day for reflection on what running means to you. Those who came out were happy to share the positive impacts running has had on their lives. 

“For me, running is a mental escape and a place for community,” participant Kitila Smith expressed. She explained that when she’s traveling for work, it’s nice to be able to find runners everywhere and feel like there’s always a community where you belong.  

Another runner, Miria Cortez, told me that Night of Miles was her first time participating in any sort of running event, and she showed up looking for a chance to meet people and feel more connected to the community. “For me, running is a form of relaxation and disconnecting from the world while meeting my health goals.”

As the sun began to set on the parking lot and the smoke machines cranked up for the first heats, CRC Owner Brad Popple reminded everyone that the night was “all about celebrating running.”

Part of that celebration included raising money for the More Than Miles Scholarship. The scholarship, created by Mad Miles, is open to current high school seniors, collegiate students, and graduate students. “The scholarship fund was created for students in the community who promote our mission for leadership, community, and academic excellence,” Mad Miles member Alex Johnson said. Those interested in applying for the scholarship can visit their website for more information. 

Fittingly, several students ended up taking the win for their heats as the competition exploded on the course. Recent high school graduate Blake Dixon said he came out “just to have some fun with the community,” and he ended up winning the Men’s Elite, Elimination Round, and 5-and-under min/mile pace heat. “I didn’t expect to win, but it feels great! What running means to me is that hard work can pay off, and any run is better than no run.”

Wesley Aubin, a 13-year-old who runs track for his school, crossed the finish line first for the 8-9 min/mile pace group and said he was “shocked and glad that hard work can lead to a new PR.”

The family-friendly event was a place for all ages and all paces to celebrate movement while showing out with some fierce and fun competition as participants put in cash for the opportunity to win part of the pot at the end of each round, with the rest of the money going to the scholarship fund. 

“This sport is for everyone. We don’t care about your pace; we just want to see you out there moving your body,” Popple reminded everyone as the races progressed through the evening and more and more members of the crowd started joining in on the fun.

The 10-12 min/mile pace group was fondly called the “party pacers,” and while that may be true, it’s no less of an accomplishment. Daniel Gonzalez, who ended up crossing the finish line first and then continued with an extra two laps because he felt so good, said he just started running four months ago and had never imagined participating in anything like this. That’s what these events are all about: encouraging people to get out of their comfort zone and find the joy in movement with enthusiastic community support. “It’s just excellent,” Gonzalez said.

Shoe demos were also on deck, sponsored by Nike, Diadora, New Balance, and Puma, fitting runners with some of the fastest kicks on the market to set those PRs.

Nike:

Nike Streakfly 2: This super shoe is a carbon-plated racer with an ultra-responsive ZoomX foam midsole and minimal upper. It’s great for those 5K and 10K races when you want to fly past the opposition. 

Nike Pegasus 42: The responsive cushioning in this shoe makes it ideal for everyday training. The updated fit gives more space in the forefoot and toe box, prioritizing comfort so you can feel energized throughout those long runs. 

Nike Vaporfly 4: These mile-eating machines are lightweight with ultra-responsive ZoomX foam and a carbon fiber Flyplate. The shoe will give you race-day speed that you can take from the mile to the marathon. 

Diadora:

Diadora Nucleo 2: Diadora’s number 1 shoe as a go-to daily trainer and race shoe across multiple surfaces, the Nucleo 2 is made with their lightweight foam designed in-house in Italy and crafted for durability and high performance on gravel, grass, and asphalt. 

New Balance:

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite V5: These kicks were built for race days and premium performance with their ultra-lightweight design, carbon fiber plate, and PEBA midsole foam. 

New Balance Ellipse: For those looking for a more comfortable everyday trainer, this is the shoe for you. With the responsive Fresh Foam X midsole, breathable engineered mesh upper, and an efficient rockered profile, it delivers elevated cushioning and smoother runs. 

Puma

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4: For when fast isn’t fast enough, this shoe is built for race days and feels great when you want to pick up the pace and set a new PR. The Nitrofoam Elite delivers premium responsiveness, while the carbon composite plate helps you channel every ounce of energy into forward motion. 

Puma Deviate Pure Nitro: This no-plate, all-fun shoe option makes running more enjoyable with its ultra-cushioned nitrogen-infused foam providing a lightweight, comfortable trainer with boosts of energy return. 

For those who missed out last night, you can still try out any of these premium kicks by visiting one of our CRC locations for a personalized fitting and gait analysis. All shoes and apparel are also available on our website. 

The Night of Miles party lasted well into the evening, with light-up party sticks, the Monster Truck DJ, and libation sales that all went to the More than Miles Scholarship. It was a party with a purpose that attracted the attention of bystanders and shoppers all around the Promenade who couldn’t help but cheer as racers rounded their final laps and gave it all they had.

If you missed this gathering and you’re feeling that FOMO (we don’t blame you!), be sure to follow Charlotte Running Company on Instagram and Facebook. Everyone is welcome at CRC, and we can’t wait to see you at our next event!