(Photo by Andrew Brown)
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, Tennessee, 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 South's premier spring post-season tune-up meet is in its second year at the world-class facility at Robinson High School in Concord, which has allowed us to expand the events offered. We now host the concluding "championship" in a series of steeplechase races this spring, as well as a full slate of field events. We also offer medley relays to any teams interested - contact Jeff George at ncrunnerselite@gmail.com if you have any questions.
The 2025 Tune-Up was the largest in meet history by a large margin, 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!
Registration Closes Thursday 5/28
(Photo by Aaron Rich)
More NCRunners Elite Tune-Up Information:
Dating back to 2009 and adopting the current format in 2012, the Tune-Up has become a fixture of the spring track season. It is the perfect counterpart to the NCRunners Elite Dash for Doobie in the fall. We hope to premier an indoor postseason tune-up meet in 2027, giving NCRunners Elite a top-tier, multi-state competition at the conclusion of all three running seasons! We're committed to providing a high quality and intensely competitive experience for athletes of all levels, at an affordable price.
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.
Many thanks to Robinson athletic director Patrick Helm for providing the
new home for the Tune-Up. Special thanks also go to Paul Sheehan at Explore Cabarrus and
the rest of the folks at the Cabarrus Visitors Bureau for their help in
taking this meet to the next level! 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!)
