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Charlotte Marathon Bibs Carry Silhouette of Runner Killed in Hit-and-Run
More than 13,000 Charlotte Marathon runners will wear race bibs bearing the silhouette of Lance Sotelo, a former Queens University athlete killed in a January hit-and-run, as the Charlotte Sports Foundation launches an annual tradition of honoring a member of the running community.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. â When more than 13,000 runners line up for the Charlotte Marathon on Saturday morning, they will carry a small but deliberate tribute on their race bibs: the outline of a runner in the corner, a silhouette of Lance Sotelo, the former Queens University athlete killed in a hit-and-run in east Charlotte in January.
The Charlotte Sports Foundation, which organizes the race, said the gesture was meant to honor Sotelo's place in the local running community and the legacy they left behind.
"Fifth place last year, first non-binary, incredible runner, and we could not be more proud of the performance that Lance put in last year, but also the legacy they left," said Miller Yoho, a spokesperson for the foundation. "We thought it was really a nice thing for all 13,000 runners to carry a little piece of Lance with them."
Sotelo was killed in January while out on a daily run in east Charlotte. A Charlotte woman was later sentenced to 30 days in jail in connection with the hit-and-run.
For James Holt, Sotelo's boyfriend, picking up his race gear on Friday brought a mix of emotions.
"It hit me pretty hard to see that. Just the emotions came up just like, wow, I can't believe this," Holt said.
Holt described running as a central part of Sotelo's life. "Running was his passion. I mean, it was a daily occurrence, kind of like brushing your teeth," he said. "He would just go out and run every day. So, to inspire others for that, the sport itself is just, it's so cool."
The tribute has reached runners beyond Charlotte. Kelvon Yancey, a member of the ZFT Run Club in Houston, said the silhouette sends a message about the bonds of the sport.
"It's sentimental, right, to want to commemorate this person that was a part of the running community," Yancey said. "They didn't have to do that, but they chose to make him a part of this big race that represents this city, and showing that we're all in a family. We're all a part of this together."
Holt is preparing to run his first-ever 5K on Saturday. He said he hopes the tribute encourages others to approach life the way Sotelo did.
"Lance had such a passion for life. So I just want to let everybody know don't take any day for granted. Tell the people you love you love them, because they could be taken away in an instant," Holt said. "So don't take any day for granted and just live your life to the fullest."
The foundation said the silhouette marks the start of a new tradition: each year's race bibs will honor someone from the marathon or the broader running community.