Congratulations to this year’s winners of the 8th Annual Endurance Magazine Best of North Carolina awards! Thank you to all of our readers who voted in our online poll. It’s amazing how passionate we are about our favorite places to shop, eat, buy gear, race, train and repair ourselves.

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BEST RUNNING RETAILERS

Best Place to buy Running Shoes

Fleet Feet Sports

Runner Up: Run for Your Life

Best Place to buy Trail Running Shoes

Fleet Feet Sports

Runner Up TIE: Inside Out Sports and Run for Your Life

Best Place to buy Apparel

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Runner Up: Fleet Feet Sports

Best Place to buy Women’s Apparel

Athleta

Runner Up: Dick’s Sporting Goods

Best Customer Service

Fleet Feet Sports

Runner Up: Run for Your Life

BEST CYCLING RETAILERS

Best place to buy a Road Bike

Inside-Out Sports

Runner Up: REI

Best place to buy a Mountain Bike

Inside-Out Sports

Runner Up: Bike Source

Best place to buy a Tri Bike

Inside-Out Sports

Runner Up: Performance Bicycle

Best place to buy a Kids Bike

Inside-Out Sports

Runner Up: Performance Bicycle

Best Customer Service

Inside-Out Sports

Runner Up: Bicycle Sport

BEST OUTDOOR SPECIALTY RETAILER

Best place to buy Camping Gear

REI

Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company

Best place to buy Hiking Gear

REI

Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company

Best place to buy Canoes/Kayaks & SUP’s

REI

Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company

Best place to buy Outdoor Apparel

REI

Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company

Best Customer Service

REI

Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company

BEST RUNNING EVENTS

Best Mile

The Rocket Mile

Runner Up: Novant Charlotte Marathon Mile

Best 5K

GNC 5K

Runner Up: Yiasou Greek Festival 5K

Best 10K

OrthoCarolina 10K

Runner Up: Hit the Brixx 10K

Best 10 Miler

Charlotte 10 Miler

Runner Up: Medoc Mountain Trail 10 Miler

Best Half-Marathon

Novant Health Charlotte Half Marathon

Runner Up: TIE: Rocktoberfest and Huntersville Half Marathon

Best Marathon

Novant Health Charlotte Marathon

Runner Up: Medoc Mountain Trail Marathon

Best Trail Run

Medoc Mountain Trail Races

Runner Up: US National Whitewater Center Race Series

Best Women’s Running Event

Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon

Runner Up: Reindeer Romp 5K

Best Turkey Trot

Charlotte Turkey Trot at Southpark

Runner Up: Turkey Dash Charlotte

BEST CYCLING EVENTS

Best Criterium

TIE:

Crossroads Classic
Tour de Elvis
Uptown Criterium

Best Century Ride

Carolina Century

Best Charity Ride

Tour de Cure

Best Road Race

Crossroads Cycling Classic

Best Cyclocross Race

NCCX North Carolina Cyclo-Cross

BEST TRIATHLON

Best Kids Triathlon

Rodney’s Great Kids Triathlon

Runner Up: Kids Tri Ballantyne

Best Sprint

Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon

Runner Up: Lake Norman

Best Olympic/International Distance

Lake Logan

Runner Up: Belews Lake

Best Half-Ironman

Ironman 70.3 Raleigh

Best Ironman Distance

Ironman Chattanooga

Best Women’s Triathlon

Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon

OTHER EVENTS

Best Color Run

Color Me Green

Best Obstacle Race

Spartan Race

Best Kids Event

Girls on the Run 5K

Best Endurance Charity Event

TIE:

Angels & Sparrows 5k
Duke Energy 911 Stair Climb
Girls on the Run 5K
Mill Chill 4 Miler in Rocky Mount
University City Duathlon

BEST AWARDS

Best Pre-Race Expo

Novant Charlotte Marathon

Best Post-Race Experience

Novant Charlotte Marathon

Best Event Medal

Novant Charlotte Marathon

Runners Up: Medoc Trail Races

Best Event SWAG

Medoc Mountain Trail Races

Runner Up: Charlotte 10 Miler

BEST PLACES TO REPAIR YOURSELF

Best Sports Medicine Practice

Carolina Sports Clinic

Runner Up: OrthoCarolina

Best Physical Therapy Practice

Carolina Sports Clinic

Runner Up: Architect Sports

Best Chiropractic Practice

Carolina Sports Clinic

Runner Up: Active Carolina Sports and Spine

Best Place to get a Massage

Carolina Sports Clinic

Runners Up: The Sport of Massage

BEST PLACES TO WORKOUT

Best Wellness Facility

HFFA

Runner Up: Harris YMCA

Best Fitness Club

Fitness Connection

Runner Up: Lifetime Fitness

Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gym

TIE: 

Cliff Hangers
Inner Peaks

Best Yoga Studio

Melting Point

Best Pilates Studio

Pulse Pilates

Best Outdoor Pool

Harris YMCA

Best Indoor Pool

Mecklenburg Aquatic Center

Runner Up: Harris YMCA

Best Charity Training Program

Tri It For Life

BEST PLACES TO FUEL UP

Best Grocery Store

Earth Fare

Runner Up: Publix

Best Breakfast

Famous Toastery

Runner Up: Toast

Best Pizza Place

Brixx

Runner Up: Tony’s Pizza

Best Coffee Shop

Summit Coffee

Runner Up: Starbucks

Best Local Brew

Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

Runner Up: Cabarus Brewery

Best place to hang post-workout

Starbucks

Runner Up: Sunflower Baking Company

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BEST RUNNING RETAILERS

Best Place to buy Running Shoes

Bull City Running

Runner Up: Fleet Feet Sports Carrboro/Durham

Best Place to buy Trail Running Shoes

Bull City Running

Runner Up: Fleet Feet Sports Carrboro/Durham

Best Place to buy Apparel

Bull City Running

Runner Up: Fleet Feet Sports Carrboro/Durham

Best Place to buy Women’s Apparel

Bull City Running

Runner Up: Athleta

Best Customer Service

Bull City Running

Runner Up: Inside-Out Sports

BEST CYCLING RETAILERS

Best place to buy a Road Bike

Inside-Out Sports

Runner Up: Performance Bicycle

Best place to buy a Mountain Bike

Inside-Out Sports

Runner Up: The Bicycle Chain

Best place to buy a Tri Bike

Inside-Out Sports

Runner Up: Performance Bicycle

Best place to buy a Kids Bike

Performance Bicycle

Runner Up: Inside-Out Sports

Best Customer Service

Inside-Out Sports

Runner Up: Performance Bicycle

BEST OUTDOOR SPECIALTY RETIALER

Best place to buy Camping Gear

REI

Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision

Best place to buy Hiking Gear

REI

Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision

Best place to buy Canoes/Kayaks & SUP’s

REI

Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision

Best place to buy Outdoor Apparel

REI

Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision

Best Customer Service

REI

Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision

BEST RUNNING EVENTS

Best Mile Run

Sir Walter Raleigh Miler

Runner Up: Rocket Mile

Best 5K

Florence Forth 

Runner Up: GNC 5K

Best 10K

Florence Forth

Runner Up: Carrboro 10K

Best 10 Miler

Tar Heel 10 Miler

Runner Up: Medoc Trail 10 Miler

Best Half-Marathon

Holly Springs Half Marathon

Runner Up: Historic Hillsborough Half Marathon

Best Marathon

Tobacco Road Marathon

Runner Up: Medoc Trail Marathon

Best Trail Run

Medoc Trail Races

Runner Up: Little River Trail Races

Best Women’s Running Event

Esprit de She

Runner Up: Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon

Best Turkey Trot

Carrboro Gallop and Gorge 8K

Runner Up: Inside-Out Sports Turkey Trot

BEST CYCLING EVENTS

Best Criterium

Jiggawat ACE Speedway

Best Century Ride

Carolina Century

Best Charity Ride

Velo 4 Yellow

Best Road Race

Falls Lake Road Race

Best Cyclocross Race

Berger Hardware Bike Series

Best Women’s Ride

Le Tour de Femme

BEST TRIATHLON

Best Kids Triathlon

Tar Heel Youth Triathlon

Best Sprint

Triangle Triathlon

TIE – Runner Up: Rex Wellness Sprint Series & Smile Train Triathlon

Best Olympic/International

Beaver Dam Olympic Triathlon

Runner Up: White Lake International Triathlon

Best Half-Iron

Ironman 70.3 Raleigh

Best Iron Distance

Ironman North Carolina

Best Women’s Triathlon

Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon

OTHER EVENTS

 

Best Obstacle Race

Tackle the Tar

Best Adventure Race

TIE:

Big Muddy Run
Doughman
Medoc Moubtain Trail
RunTheBoro
Spartan

Best Endurance Charity Event

Mill Chill 4 Mile

Best Kids Event

Got Grit 5K

BEST AWARDS

Best Pre-Race Expo

Bull City Race Fest & Food Truck Rodeo

Runner Up: Tobacco Road Marathon

Best Post-Race Experience

Bull City Race Fest & Food Truck Rodeo

Runner Up: Holly Springs Half Marathon

Best Event Medal

Medoc Half Marathon

Runner Up: Historic Hillsborough Half Marathon

Best Event SWAG

Medoc Half Marathon

Runner Up: Historic Hillsborough Half Marathon

BEST PLACES TO REPAIR YOURSELF

Best Sports Medicine Practice

Run Raleigh PT

Runner Up: ActiveEdge Fitness and Sports Performance

Best Physical Therapy Practice

Run Raleigh PT

Runner Up: ActiveEdge Fitness and Sports Performance

Best Chiropractic Practice

Staker Chiropractic

Runner Up:  Bogert Family Chiropractic

Best Place to get a Massage

ActiveEdge Fitness and Sports Performance

Runner Up: The Sport of Massage

Best Spa Facility

The Umstead

Runner Up: Synergy

BEST PLACES TO WORKOUT

Best Wellness Facility

ActiveEdge Fitness and Sports Performance

Runner Up: UNC Wellness Centers

Best Fitness Club

ActiveEdge Fitness and Sports Performance

Runner Up: Lifetime Fitness

Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gym

Triangle Rock Club

Runner Up: UNC Wellness Centers

Best Yoga Studio

Arrichion

Runner Up: Carrboro Yoga Company

Best Pilates Studio

ActiveEdge Fitness and Sports Performance

Runner Up: Pulse Pilates

Best Outdoor Pool

Lifetime Fitness

Runner Up: Granite Falls

Best Indoor Pool

Triangle Aquatic Center

Runner Up: UNC Wellness Center

Best Charity Training Program

Team in Training

Runner Up: V Foundation

BEST PLACES TO FUEL UP

Best Grocery Store

Whole Foods

Runner Up: Harris Teeter

Best Breakfast

Elmo’s Diner

Runner Up: Weaver Street Market

Best Pizza Place

Lily’s

Runner Up: Pie Pushers

Best Coffee Shop

Bean Traders

Runner Up: Cup ‘a Joe

Best Local Brew

Full Steam Brewery

Runner Up: Bond Brothers Brewing

Best place to hang post-workout

TIE: 

Bean Traders
Bombshell Brewery
Full Steam Brewery
Ponysaurus

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BEST RUNNING RETAILERS

Best Place to buy Running Shoes

Fleet Feet

Runner Up: Omega Sports

Best Place to buy Trail Running Shoes

Fleet Feet

Runner Up: Omega Sports

Best Place to buy Apparel

Fleet Feet

Runner Up: Omega Sports

Best Place to buy Women’s Apparel

Fleet Feet

Runner Up: Omega Sports

Best Customer Service

Fleet Feet

Runner Up: Omega Sports

BEST CYCLING RETAILERS

Best place to buy a Road Bike

Cycles de Oro

Runner Up: Performance Bicycle

Best place to buy a Mountain Bike

Cycles de Oro

Runner Up: Performance Bicycle

Best place to buy a Tri Bike

Cycles de Oro

Runner Up: Performance Bicycle

Best place to buy a Kids Bike

Cycles de Oro

Runner Up: Ken’s Bike Shop

Best Customer Service

Cycles de Oro

TIE: Runner Up: Ken’s Bike Shop & Performance

BEST OUTDOOR SPECIALTY RETAILER

Best place to buy Camping Gear

REI

Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company

Best place to buy Hiking Gear

REI

Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company

Best place to buy Canoes/Kayaks & SUP’s

Great Outdoor Provision Company

Runner Up: REI

Best place to buy Outdoor Apparel

REI

Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company

Best Customer Service

REI

Runner Up: Great Outdoor Provision Company

BEST RUNNING EVENTS

Best Mile Run

Ardmore RAH!

Runner Up: Runner Dude’s Fitness

Best 5K

The Trout Tattoo

Runner Up:Beat the Heat 5K

Best 10K

Runner Dude 10K Challenge

Runner Up: Ardmore RAH!

Best 10 Miler

Runner Dude 10 Miler

Runner Up: Up the Creek 10 Miler

Best Half-Marathon

Cannonball Half Marathon

Runner Up: Mistletoe Run

Best Marathon

The Day Bat

Runner Up: Cannonball Marathon

Best Trail Run

The Day Bat

Runner Up: Medoc Mountain Trail Races

Best Women’s Running Event

Women’s Only 5k

Runner Up: Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon

Best Turkey Trot

Greensboro Gobbler

Runner Up: Runner Dude’s Canned Cranberry Sauce 10K

BEST CYCLING EVENTS

Best Criterium

Carolina Cup

Best Century Ride

Carolina Century

Best Charity Ride

Rothar Turas

Best Road Race

Winston-Salem Cycling Classic

Best Cyclocross Race

TIE: 

Lions Roar
Tour to Tanglewood
Winston-Salem NCCX

Best Women’s Race

Le Tour de Femme

BEST TRIATHLON

Best Kids Triathlon

Kids for Kids Triathlon

Best Sprint

Mission Man Triathlon

Runner Up: High Point Sprint Triathlon

Best Olympic/International

Belews Lake

Best Women’s Triathlon

Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon 

OTHER EVENTS

Best Color Run

Glow in the Park

Best Obstacle Race

Rugged Maniac

Best Endurance Charity Event

Carolina Century

Best Adventure Race

The Search for Tola Mufu

BEST AWARDS

Best Pre-Race Expo

The Day Bat

Best Post-Race Experience

The Day Bat

Runner Up: Carolina Century

Best Event Medal

The Day Bat

Runners Up: Medoc Mountain Trail Races

Best Event SWAG

Up the Creek

Runner Up: Medoc Mountain Trail Races

BEST PLACES TO REPAIR YOURSELF

Best Sports Medicine Practice

Chandler Physical Therapy and Sports Rehab

Runner Up: Greensboro Orthopedics

Best Physical Therapy Practice

Chandler Physical Therapy and Sports Rehab

Runner Up: Greensboro Physical Therapy

Best Chiropractic Practice

Elite Performance Chiropractic

Runner Up: Healing Hands Chiropractic

Best Place to get a Massage

Kneaded Energy 

Best Spa Facility 

TIE:

Beth Almon
Chakras
Chandler Physical Therapy
Lifetime Fitness
The Spa at Highland Oaks
Utopia

BEST PLACES TO WORKOUT

Best Wellness Facility

Runner Dude’s Fitness

Runner Up: YMCA

Best Fitness Club

Runner Dude’s Fitness

Runner Up: YMCA

Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gym

TIE:

Footsloggers
Level Up
Lifetime Fitness
Triangle Rock Club
Ultimate Climbing Gym
Wake Forest University

Best Yoga Studio

Dancing Dog Yoga

TIE – Runner Up:

Club Fitness
Triad Yoga
Revolution Yoga

Best Pilates Studio

YMCA

Best Outdoor Pool

Pinetop

Best Indoor Pool

The Club

Runner Up: YMCA

BEST PLACES TO FUEL UP

Best Grocery Store

Harris Teeter 

Runner Up: Whole Foods

Best Breakfast

Scrambled

Runners Up: Mary’s Gourmet Diner

Best Pizza Place

Elizabeth’s Pizza

TIE: Runner Up: Brixx Pizza, Sticks and Stones

Best Coffee Shop

The Green Bean

Runner Up: Krankies

Best Local Brew

Natty Greene’s

Runner Up: Joymongers

Best place to hang post-workout

Joymongers

Runner Up: Panera Bread