Greater Charlotte Let Me Run Springfest 5K Race Report
On Saturday, May 16, 2026, hundreds of boys, coaches, and supporters converged on the famous “Metalmorphosis” (aka the Turning Head) statue in Charlotte to celebrate the 600+ boys who ran on Let Me Run teams in the region. There were 995 official participants and hundreds more spectators, but who’s counting? The weather was perfect and the morning was filled with high-fives, PRs, one bulletproof vest, one lost shoe (AGAIN!) and so much fun and pride celebrating the boys. Here are some highlights from the event.
AROUND THE VILLAGE
🩵 The official race shirt came in a brand new blue color.
🎥 Let Me Run’s photo and video tent was particularly popular. Feetures, Let Me Run’s National Sponsor, sent a video crew to interview boys. Footage will be used in a brand new promotional video.
🎉 The race village was buzzing with activity from hair spray and poster making to açai bowls to sponsor tents. Special shout out to Mathnasium, Kate’s Skate, Charlotte Running Company, Camp Care, and the FBI for being onsite. Yes, that’s right. The FBI was an event sponsor. Special Agent Cherry allowed boys to try on bulletproof vests!
🪧 Every year, our people come with more and more creative spectator signs!
DURING THE RUN
👟 As always, the boys came to race and boy, was it a good one. First, someone lost a shoe at the start line and he finished the whole 5K wearing only one shoe! We’re happy to report that the shoe found its rightful (and very tenacious) owner.
💨 More coaches than usual reported boys achieving PRs. Congratulations, Boys!
🌭 Once again, Coach Lucas from Sharon Elementary raced in a hot dog suit. He will be retiring as a coach, which begs the question: who will carry on this tradition and don a creative costume for 3.1 miles at our next race?
➗ On the course, Mathnasium challenged runners to complete math problems and report to their tent with the answers.
🏃The overall 5K winner was a Let Me Run alumnus, Liam Peery, with a time of 18:42.7. Liam spent many years on the Trinity Episcopal school team and we believe this was a PR for him. Way to go, Liam!
The top 3 racers were:
Eli Willis (Sharon Elementary 4th-5th Grade) – 18:59.1
Thomas Shrum (Carmel Middle) – 19:22.23
J. Duke Shockley (Gold Hill Middle ) – 19:24.7
🤝 Gangs of boys crossed the finish line together, proud parents high-fived their kids, and coaches went back and forth on the course to keep motivating their team until the very end.
💚 Our absolute favorite is witnessing the last handful of finishers. It was hot on the course by this time. Paces slowed, but these boys persisted. Buoyed by the spectators who stayed on that final hill, they really dug deep to finish.
A GREAT ENDING
The race concluded in the best possible way. Several members of the Lansdowne Elementary team were waiting for their final teammate. There was some confusion as to whether he would finish. But then, he turned the corner, accompanied by all of his coaches. His team went wild and they flanked him as he crossed the timing mat.
That camaraderie is what Let Me Run is all about!
Check out the Official Let Me Run Springfest Race Website to View Photos from the Race.
Thank you to EVERYONE who made the race – and the season – special. It truly takes a village of boys, teachers, parents, administrators, and volunteers to do what we do. A special shout out to our Race Sponsors: Variant Wealth Partners, Mathnasium, Kate’s Skate, Flow Motion Running, Steele Creek Printing, The FBI, Harris Teeter, Jersey Mike’s, Dave’s Hot Chicken and Big Air Trampoline Park.
Until the next starting line…
XO,
Greater Charlotte Let Me Run Team
