​Thousands of participants gathered at the Bojangles Boplex in east Charlotte for the Around the Crown expo ahead of race weekend.Runners lined up across the venue to pick up their race bibs, T-shirts, and promotional giveaways before Sunday’s event.The expo serves as the main preparation hub for the annual Charlotte race. Organizers set up stations offering ice packs, fans, and hydration to help participants prepare for the heat on race day.As part of the tradition, runners signed a banner at the expo that will hang over Interstate 277 to encourage participants as they pass beneath it during the race.ALSO READ: Accomplished marathoner running Around the Crown 10K with her 2 childrenFirst-time racer Cadence Szilagwy collected her bib at the expo after making a last-minute decision to join the race. “Yes and we decided last night!” Szilagwy said. “The stakes are low we kind of just want to have fun!” Szilagwy also won a new pair of running shoes during the bib pickup. “They told me it was completely random!” Szilagwy said.Community groups are also turning out for the event, including “Active Dad,” an organization that brings fathers together to run with their daughters. Dequan Hill, a runner and Active Dad group member, is participating in Around the Crown for his third year. “It’s just like our own kind of therapy and community for dads,” Hill said. “It’s hands down the most energetic race in Charlotte.”Mike Norman-Robinson, a runner and Active Dad group member, highlighted the social connection created by the event. “It’s like bringing everybody together, meeting people through other dads and stuff like that; it’s amazing, it’s so fun,” Norman-Robinson said. Like in years past, members of the group will complete the course alongside their daughters.Bib pickup and gear distribution will continue Saturday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Bojangles Boplex.Channel Nine will broadcast the race live Sunday starting at 7 a.m. The elite runners are scheduled to take off at 7:30 a.m.