Charlotte, here's a Thanksgiving morning worth the drive. The 20th Annual IDNutrition Lake Norman Half Marathon Turkey Trot 10K & 5K is about 20 miles north of uptown in Cornelius, and on a quiet holiday morning that's about 30 minutes up I-77. You get a 5K, a 10K and the only Thanksgiving Day half marathon within 150 miles of Charlotte, all on one morning, with free parking right at the start.
Everything funnels onto I-77 North. Take Exit 28 (Catawba Ave / Cornelius), turn left on Liverpool Pkwy, left on Chartwell Center Dr, and right on Chartown Dr. Life Fellowship Church, 20010 Chartown Dr, is on your left.
| Starting from | How to get on I-77 North | About |
|---|---|---|
| Uptown | Trade St or 4th St west to I-77 North | 20 mi, about 30 minutes |
| South End | Morehead St west to I-77 North | 21 mi, about 30 minutes |
| NoDa | 36th St to N Tryon, then Atando Ave to I-77 North | 20 mi, about 30 minutes |
| University area (UNC Charlotte) | W.T. Harris Blvd west to I-77 North | 19 mi, about 30 minutes |
| Ballantyne | I-485 west (outer loop) to I-77 North | 35 mi, about 45–50 minutes |
Times are approximate with no traffic, which is pretty much what I-77 looks like at 6:45 on Thanksgiving morning. Open directions in Google Maps.
Timing tip: half marathoners coming from uptown, South End, NoDa or the University area should leave by about 6:30 AM. From Ballantyne, leave by about 6:15. That gets you parked with time for a bib and a bathroom stop before the 7:30 start. 5K folks can leave about 15 minutes later.
| Half marathon | 10K | 5K | Virtual | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 7:30 AM | 7:35 AM | 7:40 AM | Anytime |
| Price through Oct 31 | $70 | $50 | $40 | $59 |
| Nov 1–22 | $75 | $55 | $45 | $59 |
| Nov 23–race morning | $90 | $70 | $60 | $59 |
Prices are race fees, and RunSignUp adds its signup fee at checkout. The half marathon course closes at 11:15 AM. Not sure which one fits? Our pick-your-distance guide has a short training plan for each.
The half is two loops on paved Cornelius neighborhood roads with an out-and-back on the McDowell Creek Greenway, about 721 feet of climbing in total. If you train on Charlotte's greenways, that stretch will feel familiar. The 10K and 5K use the same roads with fewer hills, and it's all asphalt. Course maps are on the homepage.
Bring them. Walkers are welcome at every distance, strollers start at the back of the 5K, and kids under 4 walk free with a parent. There are prizes for the best turkey costumes, too. And if you're the one traveling this year, the virtual run lets you do any distance anywhere, and we ship the medal, shirt and swag the Monday after.
About 20 miles and about 30 minutes from uptown Charlotte via I-77 North to Exit 28 (Catawba Ave) in Cornelius. From Ballantyne it's about 35 miles and about 45 to 50 minutes.
Yes. The Lake Norman Half Marathon Turkey Trot's half marathon starts at 7:30 AM on Thanksgiving Day, Nov 26, 2026, in Cornelius. It's the only Thanksgiving Day half marathon within 150 miles of Charlotte.
Yes. The 5K starts at 7:40 AM on Thanksgiving morning at Life Fellowship Church in Cornelius, about 30 minutes up I-77 from uptown. Walkers and strollers are welcome.
Free, on site at Life Fellowship Church, 20010 Chartown Dr, Cornelius, NC 28031. There's plenty of room, and pickup, the start and the finish are all right there.
Through Oct 31: 5K $40, 10K $50, half $70, virtual $59, plus the RunSignUp fee. Prices go up Nov 1 and again Nov 23.
Yes. Race-morning packet pickup opens at 6:30 AM at the church.