Friday, September 22 & Saturday, September 23, 2023 • Charlotte, NC • Course Map
This pair of trail races that run along the challenging hills and trails that surround the U.S. National Whitewater Center near Charlotte offer stunning views by the morning light for the Tread Brightly Half Marathon, and a perspective you can only see when you’re wearing a headlamp at night, which you’ll have to do at the Tread Nightly Half Marathon the night before.
Both races are part of a series of trail runs known as the Whitewater Race Series, organized by the U.S. National Whitewater Center, a 400-acre facility used by the U.S. Olympic whitewater rowing team here along the Catawba River.
For the first race on the weekend – the Tread Nightly Half – you’ll grab your headlamp and prepare for a run under the stars, organizers say, as you’ll begin your race anytime after 6:00 PM. The sun is projected to set around 7:15 PM, so you can begin in the daylight or the moonlight.
For those up for a real challenge, camp out at the Whitewater Center overnight and then run the Tread Brightly Half, which opens the course at 6:00 AM the next morning. If you’re not up for running 13.1 miles, the race also features a 4-mile run on both Friday evening and Saturday morning.
An early July morning beckons a pair of runners at the Tread Brightly Half Marathon, which runs along the hilly trails of the U.S. National Whitewater Center. (Photo courtesy Whitewater Race Series)
Runners wear headlamps on the trails at the Tread Nightly Half Marathon. (Photo courtesy Whitewater Race Series)
Some photos from the 2018 races:
Photos courtesy Whitewater Race Series
Race Weather & Climate
Located along the Piedmont region of southern North Carolina, Charlotte typically sees warm (and sometimes hot) weather in September, while rainfall is spread pretty evenly year-round. Temperatures for the month typically range from the low 60s to the low 80s.
On race day (Sep. 22 & 23), the average low is 57ºF and the average high is 78ºF.
Course Map
See the race route map for the Tread Nightly and Tread Brightly Half Marathons here.
Starting Time
- 6:00 PM – Tread Nightly (dispersed start)
- 6:00 AM – Tread Brightly (dispersed start)
Fees
- $55 – $60 for the half marathon
- $32 – $37 for the 4 miler
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of either the Tread Nightly or Tread Brightly Half Marathon (or both races), register online at the race website here.
Official Race Website
Comments
Ever run in the Tread Nightly or Tread Brightly Half Marathons? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.
