Run White & Blue

Join us for the 9th annual Run White & Blue 7.4 Event on July 4, 2026, in Huntersville, NC.  This event supports military veteran and first responder organizations in the Lake Norman region of North Carolina. Our returning beneficiaries are Purple Heart Homes and Firefighters' Burned Children Fund. Learn more about the amazing work each organization is doing and donate directly to their organization under “Donate”.

**Note** - The mile and kilometer course are both double loops style courses.  Each runner MUST pass the split timer under the arch at the start/finish line, or he or she will disqualify from any results.  All runners will run one "outside" loop on the course passing through the finish area once and one "inside" loop until passing through the finish line.  The first loop will run in the center turn lane and the second loop will run on the inside lane counterclockwise around The Park.  The course will be coned and signed accordingly and protected from traffic. The outside lane will be the open traffic flow lane. 

TRAINING PROGRAMS PRESENTED BY:

7.4 K and Mile Training Programs

Run White & Blue 7.4 supports military veterans and first responder organizations in the Lake Norman area, just north of Charlotte, NC. 

2026 Beneficiaries are:

PURPLE HEART HOMES (Statesville, NC)

https://purplehearthomesusa.org/ 

Facebook - @PurpleHeartHomes 

Instagram - @PurpleHeartHomes

Twitter - @PHHTweet 

Purple Heart Homes is dedicated to providing housing for Service Connected Disabled and Aging Veterans - substantial in function, design, and quality fit to welcome home the fighting men and women of America. All donations in the Charlotte area helps Veterans within the Charlotte area.

Purple Heart Homes is a 501(c)3 public charity that was founded in 2008 by John Gallina and Dale Beatty, two combat wounded Veterans. After being injured in Iraq in 2004, they returned to their community and received a warm welcome and grateful appreciation for their service. They began to question why all Veterans didn’t get the same levels of support and assistance from society.

The answer isn’t easy, but Purple Heart Homes fills the gaps in housing through the Veterans’ Aging In Place and Veterans Home Ownership Programs. From building a ramp for a Veteran of World War II, to providing home ownership opportunities to younger Veterans, these programs are designed out of necessity and fit the specific needs of the Veteran population. This gives Veterans their independence and privacy back, some of which they have not had for decades.

FIREFIGHTERS’ BURNED CHILDREN FUND (Charlotte - Mecklenburg County Chapter)

http://www.ffbcf.org

Facebook - @Firefighters-Burned-Children-Fund-Charlotte-Mecklenburg-County-Chapter

The Firefighters' Burned Children Fund is a non-profit organization developed by area firefighters to support burn survivors and to prevent burn injuries before they occur. Together we can make a difference in burn prevention and life safety in North Carolina!

The Firefighters' Burned Children Fund, Inc. (FFBCF) is operated for the sole purpose of raising funds. This can be done by a variety of methods, the most common of which is saving aluminum cans.  Fire departments and fire service organizations are encouraged to work within their communities and with other participants of the Fund in reducing the number and the severity of burn injuries and fatalities.  

Fire departments across the area have can trailers in their parking lot where you can drop off your aluminum cans to be part of the program! All we need is your commitment to join in our efforts! A can trailer will be present at the event - Please bring your cans for collection. 

• Friday July 3    11:00pm - 6:00pm - Fleet Feet Birkdale Village

• Race Day July 4th   6:30am - 8am Daetwyler Plaza (start line)

NO parking at the following locations:

Joe Gibbs Racing BOTH lots - upper and lower

Springhill Suites Hotel

Campbell Building 13245 Reese Blvd

Smith Building 12125 Herbert Wayne Ct

Daetwyler Plaza (start/finish line)

Stewart Building 11515 Vanstory Dr.

The Huntersville Building 11330 Vanstory Dr.

All other businesses are open to park - do NOT park at Daetwyler Plaza or you will not be able to get out until the race is over.

7.4 Mile Event

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/1968895259

7.4 Kilometer Event

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/1757710808

7.4 Fun Run Event

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2022584527

**Note** - The mile and kilometer course are both double loops style courses.   All runners will run one "outside" loop on the course passing through the finish area once and then one "inside" loop until passing through the finish line.  The first loop will run in the center turn lane and the second loop will run on the inside lane counter clockwise around the Park.  The course will be coned and signed accordingly and protected from traffic except the outside lane which will be the open traffic flow lane.  Each runner must pass the split timer or he or she will disqualified from any results.

Results will be posted on our results page.   We would also love to see your experience on social media by tagging the event on Instagram @runwhiteandblue and on Facebook @run7.4.  Please share these experiences with your family, friends and fellow runners.