Here’s your chance to create authentic bragging rights for your future grandkids. “Once upon a time, I ran (or walked or biked) down the middle of this expressway!” The 485 MADD Dash is that chance.

On Nov. 2, you can walk, run or bike on the nearly finished last leg of the I-485 Charlotte Outer Belt through University City. Cost is $35 to run in the 5K or 10K and just $5 to ride your bike, with proceeds going to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

The state Transportation Department has partnered with the State Employees Combined Campaign (similar to United Way) to help us celebrate this much delayed completion of the final section of Charlotte’s Outer Belt. Clearly, our state can laugh at itself, since building the 67-mile highway around North Carolina’s biggest city took 26 years!

The 485 MADD Dash will begin and end at 12940 Loganville Road (old Prosperity Church Road) just south of I-485. Race-day registration, check-in and other activities will start at 11 a.m. The 5K and 10K runs will begin at 1 p.m., followed by awards ceremonies, the Fun Ride for bicycles at 3 and a Fun Run at 3:15. The Fun Ride is a non-competitive bike ride along the entire course. Cost is just $5 per person (cash or check only, and no advance registration).

Here is some extra incentive for you runners wavering between the 5 and 10K distances: 10k runners will be able to traverse the new turbine interchange at I-485 and I-85, a new connection to the final section of The Loop.

• Register online  >> GO