Partnership Will Replace Airhorn Sound at Start Line with a Safer, More Inclusive Sound
Charlotte, NC — August 31, 2026 — Starting at this year’s race, Around the Crown 10K Together with Truist (ATC10K) is proud to announce its partnership with Start Without a Shot, a global initiative dedicated to replacing the sound of the starter pistol with a research-backed, inclusive, and trauma-informed sonic alternative. This partnership is just another step in growing ATC10K’s commitment to inclusivity of all people at their races.
For generations, the sound of a gunshot has marked the beginning of races. But for many, that sound can trigger painful memories or anxiety, whether it is veterans with PTSD, those from urban environments or global conflict zones, and those who are neurodivergent and suffer from loud noise sensitivities. By adopting the Start Without a Shot sound, ATC10K joins a growing movement redefining how races start and prioritizing inclusivity and mental wellness at the race’s start line.
“Inclusivity is one of our pillars and is exemplified by our stroller and para division, an open deferral policy for pregnancy, and Pay What You Can Program”, says Lisa Landrum, cofounder of Crown Collective and Director of Community Outreach for ATC10K. “By partnering with Start Without a Shot we allow our race to remove loud triggers, such as a gun shot or airhorn, at the start line, which is trauma inducing for about 20% of race entrants.”
The Start Without a Shot sound was created by award-winning sound designers and neuro- experts associated with both Harvard Medical School and the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, tested across athletic and neurological settings, and debuted globally at the 2024 Kyiv City Marathon (now known as the Nova Post Free Barrier Marathon). Since then, the movement has spread to distance races worldwide, leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where the initiative hopes to make the new sound the global standard for marathon and other distance race starts. In 2025, Start Without a Shot successfully lobbied World Athletics, the international governing body for track and field, to amend its competition rules to formally permit alternative start sounds beyond traditional gunshots, airhorns, and cannons.
ATC10K is Charlotte’s premier 10K, the largest road race in North Carolina and a nationwide leader in inclusivity efforts. The race offered up to 300 Pay What You Can entries this year with real talk about how the financial mechanics work and why they want other race directors to copy it. They also offer one of the largest stroller divisions in the country, with the stroller and para divisions starting a full five minutes before the actual race start. Additionally, ATC10K’s offers free transit on race weekend through Charlotte’s CATS system, provides off-site training runs in neighborhoods that don’t usually get race-day attention, and they have built a starting line that mimics the diversity of the Charlotte community. This welcoming attitude has attracted 50 run clubs from across the nation to the race this year, including those from Atlanta, Chicago, and Memphis.
About Crown Collective
Crown Collective is a Charlotte-based running brand built on the mission to move the Queen City forward. True to the Charlotte runner, Crown Collective unites signature races, inclusive community events, and thoughtful marketing initiatives under one cohesive vision. With a focus on sustainability, clean design, and accessibility, the brand serves as a home for events like the NoDa 5K, Charlotte Summer Track Series, Forward Motion Summer Camps, Charlotte Racefest, and Around the Crown 10K Together with Truist. Learn more at www.crowncollective.run.
About Start Without a Shot
Start Without a Shot is a global movement to replace the traditional starter pistol sound in athletic events with inclusive, trauma-informed sonic alternatives. Created by a global collective of sound designers, neuroscientists, and veterans, and driven by award-winning music and sound company, Barking Owl, and award-winning public relations firm, Gres Todorchuk, the initiative aims to eliminate triggering start sounds before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Learn more or get involved at www.startwithoutashot.org.