A runner nears a marathon milestone
Plus: The news of the week — I-485 toll lanes delayed; Stock advice amid market plunge; new county manager announced; N.C. Court of Appeals sides with Republican judicial candidate
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Cheryl Perry has raced through five of the world’s biggest marathons, with New York next on her journey to an exclusive club.
Cheryl Perry (No. 481) competed and completed the London marathon in October 2022. That’s Big Ben behind her. (Photo courtesy of Cheryl Perry)
By Ken Garfield
What would possess Charlotte’s Cheryl Perry to run all over the world, competing in marathons in the world’s largest cities? She has completed five so far — Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and Tokyo.
New York on Nov. 2 will be her sixth, completing the original Abbott World Marathon Majors. She’s a 47-year-old working woman with a husband and four kids. What gives?
First, the background:
Perry oversees communications at South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church. She started running alongside her dad when she was 16. She ran her first marathon in 2000 in San Diego. In all, she’s run 13 marathons in person and two “virtually” during Covid (she ran 26.2 miles in her neighborhood). While not her best time in a marathon, her best time in the Abbott series came in London — 3 hours, 29 minutes, 56 seconds.
Her husband, John, often accompanies her. A Human GPS, she calls him, because he can spot her in the mass of runners. Their four kids — Ava, Hunt, Mac and Smith — cheer from afar.
Organizers of the World Marathon Majors have added a seventh race, in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 31. Cheryl’s thinking about it for the coming years.
The Abbott World Marathon Majors was formed in 2006, offering the chance to tackle six of the world’s most high-profile marathons.
A six-star medal goes to those who complete the original six. To date, 20,118 runners and wheelchair athletes have finished the original six majors. The event is sponsored by Abbott, a global health technology company.
Now, we’ll let Perry explain.
Q. Obvious first question: why?
Why not? But I get why traveling great distances to run a very long distance might not be everyone’s jam. Running a marathon in different cities and countries is a great way to experience a new culture while also understanding how similar the human experience can be — clearly seen in the Porta-Potty line.
Q. What one word would your kids and spouse use to describe you and this marathon journey?
Is three OK? “That’s SO Mom.”
Q. What one word would you use to describe yourself?
Resilient — mostly.
Q. Best memory?
Seeing my husband and hearing him scream my name as I came up on the final stretch in my first Boston Marathon. The finish line of Boston is pure magic. Seeing him right before the home stretch meant everything to me. He had to wait a LONG time.
Spectating marathons is no joke. Close second was the finish line of London at Buckingham Palace. I crave tea and scones just thinking about it. Bonus memory: seeing my sister while I was running the Chicago Marathon. She was holding up a poster of her dog that said, “Run, Cher, Run!”
Q. Worst memory?
When I crossed the finish line of the Berlin Marathon. I immediately knew something was seriously wrong with my foot. I spent the day after the race in a German ER and ended up with a stress fracture in my heel.
I had to fly back to Charlotte on crutches, in pain. The worst memory is using an airplane bathroom with one good foot and two sore quads.
Q. Favorite city and meal?
A tie between London and Tokyo. London because I am obsessed with their cream, scones and Princess Kate’s style. Tokyo because it’s the cleanest big city I’ve ever visited.
Best meal: a bowl of homemade ramen with fresh vegetables from a little neighborhood place in Tokyo. A close second: the steak dinner my friends and I had post-Chicago in 2000. Twenty-five years later, I still remember how delicious it was.
Q. It’s all about winning, right?
Each of the World Major Marathons can have 55,000 or so runners, so winning for sure is not my end goal. Mainly, I just want to finish and be proud of my performance — whether that means I nailed an arbitrary time goal or I didn’t throw up at the end. Winning is when I finish a run and get to come home to my family.
Q. No one does this alone, correct?
There are so many runners in Charlotte who inspire me. I'm on a team, Flow Motion Running, coached by Mike McMillen. We’re each other’s biggest cheerleaders. I have some best “running mom friends” who inspire me not just with their running but how they’re raising their families while accomplishing their goals.
At day’s end, it’s just running. It doesn’t have to be fast or pretty. The only race that matters is the one with yourself.
Q. What has running five World Major Marathons meant in the big picture of your life?
I’m scared at the start of every race, no matter the distance or location. And I don’t even have to pay my mortgage with the prize money. It’s scary when you know it’s going to hurt and the only way out is through.
I also never want to let myself down. But it’s worth it every time. So are hard workouts and boring long runs. Overcoming fear and discomfort has enabled me to grow spiritually, emotionally and physically in ways I never could have imagined.
Ken Garfield is a frequent contributor to The Ledger, including the Ways of Life newsletter each Tuesday that chronicles the life and death of interesting people. Reach him at garfieldken3129@gmail.com.
Today’s supporting sponsor is Charlotte Wine + Food Week presented by Truist, which returns April 23-27, 2025, with a wine and food event for every taste, all for a good cause. Tickets on sale now. Visit Charlotte Wine + Food for more information and to get tickets.
This week in Charlotte: Protests at Tesla dealership; Visas revoked at N.C. State; Aldersgate turns corner; Toppman reviews Theatre Charlotte’s ‘Violet’
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Politics
N.C. Supreme Court election ruling: (Associated Press) A panel of the N.C. Court of Appeals handed a win to Republican Jefferson Griffin in his contested race against Democrat Allison Riggs for an N.C. Supreme Court seat, ruling that the state Board of Elections erred in how it administered voter registrations and shouldn’t have counted tens of thousands of ballots. The ruling could flip the election result in Griffin’s favor, though it is likely to be appealed.
New county manager: (WFAE) Mecklenburg County commissioners voted to appoint deputy manager Mike Bryant to the role of county manager, replacing longtime manager Dena Diorio, who is retiring.
Local news
I-485 toll lane delays: (Transit Time) The opening of new toll lanes on I-485 in southern Mecklenburg has been delayed until late 2025 due to added work at the John Street interchange and slower paving caused by winter weather. NCDOT’s plans for toll lanes on Independence Boulevard have also been delayed, with some projects now pushed back to 2033 due to rising costs.
Protest at Tesla dealership: (Axios Charlotte) More than 100 people protested at a Tesla dealership in Matthews to object to Elon Musk’s government cutbacks, a volunteer with Indivisible Charlotte said.
Education
Visas revoked at N.C. State: (The Technician) Two N.C. State graduate students from Saudi Arabia who were studying engineering have left the country after the State Department revoked their visas.
Business
High hopes for Aldersgate: (Ledger 🔒) After a turbulent stretch, Aldersgate retirement community is turning a corner: It’s seeking to affiliate with Asheville-based Givens Communities, a financially strong nonprofit with similar Methodist roots.
Stock advice as markets drop: (Ledger 🔒) Charlotte-area stocks had a rough first quarter — and many continued downward this week as the stock market plunged — but financial experts say not to panic, to stay diversified and to stick to your long-term plan.
Sports
Military sports competition headed to Charlotte: Charlotte has been awarded the Military World Summer games in 2027, which will attract nearly 10,000 military athletes from more than 100 countries in 25 sports, according to a press release from organizers.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Monday
The library's next chapter: Marcellus Turner, CEO and chief librarian of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system, sat down with Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling recently for a chat about what’s happening and what lies ahead for the library system.
Plus: Bishop weighs in on Charlotte Catholic dispute; Old Little League scoreboard restored; 40 Over 40 judges
Wednesday (🔒)
New Mecklenburg County manager; USPS Informed Delivery glitches; Join us for webinar on aging; SEED20 pitch competition boost nonprofits; History podcast; Bokhari on his council colleagues
Friday (🔒)
Nonprofit works to solve childcare obstacles: The Alliance Center for Education is expanding its free childcare and early education programs in Mecklenburg County as demand surges.
Ways of Life (🔒)
Judy Cooper spent her life quietly changing others’ lives as a school counselor, gracious host and world traveler, always looking for ways to lift people up and make them feel seen. She passed away on Feb. 23 at age 83.
Fútbol Friday
Even Zaha needs time for transition: Despite a strong start in his MLS debut, Wilfried Zaha has struggled to make a consistent impact for Charlotte FC, though coach Dean Smith remains confident in his potential.
Toppman on the Arts
‘Violet’ in full flower at Theatre Charlotte: Arts critic Lawrence Toppman reviews Theatre Charlotte’s “Violet,” which he describes as a heartfelt journey of self-acceptance, anchored by Destiney Wolfe’s powerful performance and enriched by gospel music and immersive staging.
Real Estate Whispers
This week’s roundup includes paused zoning changes due to a new state law, a potential apartment tower near The Pearl, updates on a long-vacant lot at Providence and Fairview roads, notable real estate sales and reader poll results from last week in reply to the question: “What’s your perception of Charlotte’s real estate market?”
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