Tag: record turnout

Charlotte marathon: Record turnout, runners from 19 countries, all 50 states

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Participants celebrate after competing in the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C.

Matt Kelley

For the Observer

A record 11,500 runners took to the streets of Charlotte on Saturday for the 21st annual Novant Health Charlotte Marathon.

All the events reached capacity for the second straight year, with the 26.2-mile marathon, half-marathon and 5K drawing runners from 19 countries and all 50 states, organizers said.

“This event has turned into a big deal,” Tim Rhodes, marathon managing partner and race director, said Saturday night. “This is a celebration of everything these runners have worked for. Whether they’re setting a [personal record], qualifying for Boston or finishing for the very first time, they’re choosing to do it in Charlotte.”

A participant poses for a photo after competing in the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. Matt Kelley For the Observer

The temperature was a frigid 45 degrees when the event started around 7 a.m. on South Tryon Street, between Levine Avenue of the Arts and Brooklyn Village Avenue.

Participants embrace after competing in the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. Matt Kelley For the Observer

Carter Coughlin of Knoxville, Tennessee, was the overall winner, and Jessica Sarnicola of Matthews won the women’s title.

In another first, Elisabeth Laseter of Charlotte defended her title in the Chick-fil-A 5k event, besting her 2024 finish time by nearly 18 seconds, according to results released Saturday night.

And Nathaneal Williams of Lancaster, South Carolina, may have set a new world record for fastest half marathon pushing a double stroller.

Participants compete in the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Matt Kelley For the Observer

According to the Guinness World Records site, the fastest men’s time stands at 1:14:20. Williams clocked a 1:12:57 on the Charlotte half marathon course, results show.

“The last few miles, I was hurting pretty good,” Williams said in a marathon news release. “The next steps are to send the results to Guinness to confirm that as the new record.”

Coughlin won the marathon in 2 hours, 31 minutes and 44 seconds.

Sarnicola topped all women with a time of 3 hours, 1 minute and 48 seconds.

In the half marathon, Alexis Collumb of Yvrech, France, won the men’s field in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 31 seconds.

Abigail Herring of Parkersburg, West Virginia, was the top women’s finisher in 1 hour, 16 minutes and 21 seconds.

Supporters cheer on participants in the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Matt Kelley For the Observer

Silas Floyd Fair of Charlotte won the men’s 5K with a time of 15 minutes and 50 seconds.

Elizabeth Laseter of Charlotte was the top women’s finisher at 16 minutes and 38 seconds.

Complete results are available on RaceRoster.com.

The event and its participants have contributed more than $600,000 to support programs at Novant Health’s Hemby Children’s Hospital, organizers said.

Participants compete in the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Matt Kelley For the Observer

Joe Marusak

The Charlotte Observer

Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news.
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November 15, 2025
Central Florida counties wrap up early voting with record-high turnout

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COMING UP IN THE NEXT 15 MINUTES. WELL, THERE IS LESS THAN 48 HOURS TO GO. AND WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE A VERY TIGHT RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE. AND AS THE LAST EARLY VOTERS MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE POLLS, CANDIDATES UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT HAVE JUST ONE DAY TO GET THEIR MESSAGE OUT. AND AS EARLY VOTING COMES TO A CLOSE IN OSCEOLA, ORANGE AND SEMINOLE COUNTIES, CENTRAL FLORIDA IS SEEING RECORD TURNOUT. WESH TWO SPENCER TRACY CHECKS OUT THE POLLS IN SEMINOLE COUNTY TONIGHT, WHERE PEOPLE FACED LONG LINES. IT’S THE FINAL PUSH TO GET TO THE POLLS BEFORE ELECTION DAY. GETTING OUT IN EARLY VOTING THIS YEAR. I’VE BEEN TRYING TO GET OUT. I JUST HAVEN’T HAD THE TIME. BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THIS MORNING IS THE BEST TIME TO GET OUT. IT’S THE LAST DAY IN ORANGE SEMINOLE AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES TO EARLY VOTE. I THINK IT’S GREAT. I JUST THINK EVERYONE NEEDS TO GET OUT AND VOTE, PERIOD. WHETHER IT’S EARLY VOTING DAY OF YOUR VOTE COUNTS, AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS ELECTION, YOUR VOTE COUNTS. THOUSANDS OF VOTERS AND RECORD TURNOUT IS WHAT CENTRAL FLORIDA HAS BEEN SEEING SINCE EARLY VOTING STARTED. TWO WEEKS AGO. FOR OLIVIA BOWEN, IT WAS HER FIRST TIME VOTING EXPERIENCE PROCESS, SO I WAS HAPPY ABOUT THAT, BUT I LIKED IT. BOWEN DIDN’T HAVE TO WAIT IN LONG LINES SUNDAY MORNING. HOWEVER, THROUGHOUT EARLY VOTING, PEOPLE IN ORANGE AND SEMINOLE COUNTIES HAVE WAITED IN LINES OVER AN HOUR LONG. POLL WORKERS HERE AT THE CASSELBERRY LIBRARY SAYS THIS LOCATION HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST FOR EARLY VOTING. HERE IN SEMINOLE COUNTY. THEY’VE HAD RECORD TURNOUT AND THE WHOLE COUNTY HAS SEEN OVER 123,000 VOTERS COME OUT. SO FAR. THE STATE DIVISION OF ELECTIONS REPORTED NEARLY 8 MILLION PEOPLE IN FLORIDA HAVE VOTED SO FAR. THAT IS, 57% OF REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE STATE, AND OFFICIALS SAY THAT NUMBER WILL ONLY GO UP. IT’S GREAT. THAT’S THAT’S THAT GIVES ME HOPE IN SEMINOL

Central Florida counties wrap up early voting with record-high turnout

Updated: 8:47 PM EST Nov 3, 2024

As the clock wound down on early voting, Central Florida residents made their final trips to the polls. Sunday marked the last opportunity for voters in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties to cast their ballots before Election Day. Related: Voting Guide: Do’s and Don’ts while at polls in Central Florida”I have been trying to get out. I just haven’t had the time, but it seemed like this morning was the best time to get out,” said local voter Brittany Randle.Thousands of voters have turned out, with Central Florida seeing record numbers since early voting started two weeks ago.”I think it’s great. I just think everyone needs to get out and vote, period. Whether it’s early voting, day of, your vote counts and especially in this election, your vote counts,” said Tony Boni, another voter.Related: Central Florida county leading the state in voter turnoutFirst-time voter Olivia Boni shared she had a positive experience at the polls. “It was a pretty easy experience, process, so I was happy about that, but I liked it,” Olivia Boni said. Olivia Boni did not have to wait in long lines Sunday morning. However, during early voting, people in Orange and Seminole counties waited in lines for over an hour.Poll workers at the Seminole County Public Library said it is the county’s biggest location for early voting. Seminole County has seen over 123,000 voters, and even more will head to the polls on Election Day.More: Seminole County: Will it swing red or blue this upcoming election?The state Division of Elections reported that nearly 8 million people in Florida have voted so far, which is 57% of the state’s registered voters.Officials expect this number to increase.”That’s great. It gives me hope, it gives me hope, so yeah, feels good,” said Randle.Related: What amendments will be on Florida’s ballot?

, Fla. —

As the clock wound down on early voting, Central Florida residents made their final trips to the polls.

Sunday marked the last opportunity for voters in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties to cast their ballots before Election Day.

Related: Voting Guide: Do’s and Don’ts while at polls in Central Florida

“I have been trying to get out. I just haven’t had the time, but it seemed like this morning was the best time to get out,” said local voter Brittany Randle.

Thousands of voters have turned out, with Central Florida seeing record numbers since early voting started two weeks ago.

“I think it’s great. I just think everyone needs to get out and vote, period. Whether it’s early voting, day of, your vote counts and especially in this election, your vote counts,” said Tony Boni, another voter.

Related: Central Florida county leading the state in voter turnout

First-time voter Olivia Boni shared she had a positive experience at the polls.

“It was a pretty easy experience, process, so I was happy about that, but I liked it,” Olivia Boni said.

Olivia Boni did not have to wait in long lines Sunday morning. However, during early voting, people in Orange and Seminole counties waited in lines for over an hour.

Poll workers at the Seminole County Public Library said it is the county’s biggest location for early voting.

Seminole County has seen over 123,000 voters, and even more will head to the polls on Election Day.

More: Seminole County: Will it swing red or blue this upcoming election?

The state Division of Elections reported that nearly 8 million people in Florida have voted so far, which is 57% of the state’s registered voters.

Officials expect this number to increase.

“That’s great. It gives me hope, it gives me hope, so yeah, feels good,” said Randle.

Related: What amendments will be on Florida’s ballot?

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November 3, 2024