The iconic annual meet has a new location for 2025!
The NCRunners Elite Tune-Up has become a staple of the early summer, annually producing top-notch performances that include some of the best mid-distance races in state history. The meet draws talent from South Carolina, Virginia, and beyond to take on North Carolina's elite. And the best thing? It's open to anyone of any ability level! Dating back to 2009, the meet has hosted an impressive list of the state's biggest stars and several top-5 all-time NC marks.
The Tune-Up's new location, the world-class facility at Robinson High School in Concord, allows us to expand the events offered. In addition to the steeplechase we added last year, we will be offering shot put, discus, and pole vault, which were not available at our previous venue. We also offer medley relays to any teams interested - contact Jeff George at ncrunnerselite@gmail.com if you have any questions.
The 2024 Tune-Up was the largest in meet history, and we expect to have another stacked field this time around. Don't miss out on the chance to race under the lights against some of the best athletes the area has to offer!
Why Join the NCRunners Elite Tune-Up?
Stay sharp for national meets
Aim for a new PR with strong competition
Bridge the gap to the club track season
Wrap your outdoor season with one last fast race
Whatever the reason, we've got the meet for you!
Meet Schedule & More
Register Here
Purchase Spectator Tickets Here
(Tickets sold online ONLY)
(Photo by Jeff Sides)
Previous NCRunners Elite Tune-Up Updates:
The Southeast's premier spring post-season tune up meet is moving, but not very far - only 18 miles up I-85, in fact! The NCRunners Elite Tune Up is relocating to Jay M. Robinson, which has a world-class Mondo facility complete with top-notch throwing and vaulting venues.
Meet director Jeff George of NCRunners LLC said, "I am deeply grateful to Johnson C. Smith for serving as the host location the last three years. Without their help and support, it would have been much harder to bring the Tune Up back to exceed the participation levels we had pre-pandemic. Unfortunately, the rising cost of holding the meet there, coupled with some limitations with the facility, made it unsustainable. I'm excited to bring the meet to North Carolina's newest national-caliber facility! Many thanks to Robinson athletic director Patrick Helm for being so responsive and making this a reality."
Jay M. Robinson installed their new track and field facility in October 2023. Built with the ultra-durable Mondo Super X 720 surface, the recommended surface of World Athletics, the site should be able to host high-level meets for the next 15 years or more. The facility includes first-class field event venues as well: a "d-zone" with two horizontal jumping pits and a high jump apron, a pole vault area capable of hosting any level of competition, and a separate throws venue that can accommodate hammer and javelin in addition to shot and discus.
George added, "Special thanks also go to Paul Sheehan at Explore Cabarrus and the rest of the folks at the Cabarrus Visitors Bureau for providing sponsorship for the Tune-Up this year! Cabarrus County has really made an impressive investment in track and field with this facility. It feels to me like the track equivalent of what Kernersville did with Ivey Redmon Sports Complex - a place you might not expect to find a top-flight facility, but a local government deeply invested in making it work. If Cabarrus follows through with the same level of investment in cross country at Frank Liske Park, I could see Concord becoming the new epicenter of the running sports in North Carolina!"
(photo by Andrew Brown)
Since 2012, the Elite Tune Up has featured competitive races that produce fast times, including some challenges to state records. That is especially true in the distance races, and 2024 saw the meet add a new event to that list: the 2000 Meter Steeplechase. That will continue in Concord in 2025, where the Tune-Up will be the concluding event of a Steeplechase Series! (More on this soon.)
The move to Concord allows the meet to bring back the pole vault and the throws, which were not available at the previous venue. So no matter what your event, you can find a postseason-level atmosphere and strong competition at the NCRunners Elite Tune-Up!