I've raced CC a total of 6 times and consecutively for the past 5 years. I actually didn't even realize I was on a streak of sorts so not running this year kinda bums me out so if anybody needs a 2:00 hour pacer or something I'm in :) Anyway, I know the course like the back of my hand so for anybody that hasn't run it maybe this helps.
The course is basically a figure 8 that starts downtown with an easy first mile down 4th street. I'm generally a slow starter and this was my fastest mile last year but you're better off running smart than trying to keep up with everybody else that tears out at their 5K pace. And yes I'm much better at giving advice that taking my own. The back half of this race is more difficult than the front so trying to bank time is just going to drain energy that you're going to need finish strong. There's a gradual climb back up 4th before turning right to cross Hwy 127 by Lowe's Foods towards Hickory High School. At mile 2 you'll come up one of the steeper hills in the race by the HHS football field. Just shorten your stride and focus on turnover because once you get up this hill you've got a nice easy 3 mile stretch to settle in.
At the top of the HHS hill you'll turn right on 5th street passing Hampton Heights Golf Course heading towards Lenoir-Rhyne. This is a nice stretch that's flat and loops around the college with a nice downhill on Main Street heading back towards Union Square and the start. You should feel pretty good as you approach mile 5 and even if you don't just pretend like you do because you're about to run past a lot of spectators. You'll retrace your steps from the start back down 4th Street but this time you'll take a left just past the right you took on your first loop. There's a sharp downhill followed by a steep but short uphill before putting you out on 16th Street headed towards the lake.
Now you're past the halfway point. Mile 8 is fairly flat and takes you into a neighborhood with some rolling hills before putting you out just above Glenn Hilton Park. Mile 9 runs along the lake and this is really where the fun truck really starts rolling. As you pass mile 9 you'll run the greenway from Rotary Park to Jaycee Park. This is a tough stretch but once you get up the first 1/4 mile it's really not that bad. If you're the type that obsesses over your current mile pace this is probably a good time to stop looking at your watch. There is fairly thick tree cover on both sides and that combined with the grade change is going to give you some unpleasant data. Just ignore it and maintain the best effort you can. Depending on the weather and your pace it's usually starting to get very warm by now and in years past there have been wet towels available at mile 10. There are plenty of water stops on the course so even if you aren't thirsty early on it's probably a good idea to take some fluids anyway because it heats up pretty quickly. Once you pass the 10 mile mark you're out of the woods (literally) and headed towards Old Lenoir Road.
Old Lenoir Road is a grinding stretch of rolling hills that gets you past the 12 mile mark. Coming out of the greenway you'll have an easy mile to catch your breath before a fairly lengthy uphill that isn't steep but being 12 miles into the race it's not fun either. Most folks are aware that the 'Coca-Cola Hill' is coming up but I've seen a lot of quality runners struggling up Old Lenoir so if you ran smart you'll have the opportunity to really improve your placing in the last mile. On the other hand, if you got out too fast this is where you'll pay for it - especially on a hot and humid day. As you near the end of Old Lenoir Road you'll see the Coca-Cola plant to your right so just get your mind right and prepare to finish strong. There's plenty of crowd support here too but I'm not sure if they are there to support you or just watch you struggle, but either way, you'll want to get this over with quickly. Of course getting the ol' legs and lungs to cooperate isn't always that easy.
Once you get to the top of the hill it's over! Well not really, but you've got less than half a mile of a flat straight away to the finish. This is where you just unwind with whatever you have left........and then it really is over. Get your medal, grab some water, and find a place to sprawl out. There's plenty of good eats afterwards and in past years there has been bagels, bananas, pizza, beer, and a variety of water and sports drinks. I don't know what's on the menu this year but I feel certain you won't have to search long for nourishment. The awards are very nice but I did miss the bobble heads last year so maybe they will make a return this year. They haven't formally awarded a masters category to date but they do recognize the top 3 overall and the top 3 in each 5 year division. Results from last year are posted below or you can check the Charity Chase site for other good info: http://www.charitychase.com/
Good luck to everyone running this weekend!
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