Davidson and Cornelius are next-door neighbors, and on Thanksgiving morning we're about 10 minutes apart. The 20th Annual IDNutrition Lake Norman Half Marathon Turkey Trot 10K & 5K starts at Life Fellowship Church in Cornelius, about 3.7 miles from downtown Davidson. You can do a 5K, a 10K, or the only Thanksgiving Day half marathon within 150 miles of Charlotte, and be home with coffee before the parade starts.
Thanksgiving week in Davidson means the college kids are home, the cousins are in from out of town, and somebody's been training all fall and won't stop talking about it. Here's how that shakes out on our start line:
Everybody finishes under the same arch, so the whole crew can cheer each other in.
2026 is our 20th year. We've put this race on every Thanksgiving since 2007, and for year 20 we're making it count: a finisher medal, a tech shirt, a collector's edition backpack, and a hoodie for half marathoners who sign up by Oct 23. Awards go three deep, overall and in every age group. Costume prizes too, so the turkey hat is encouraged.
From downtown, head over to Griffith St, go straight through the roundabouts, and get on I-77 South toward Charlotte. You're only on the interstate for about a mile. Take Exit 28 (Catawba Ave / Cornelius), turn left on Liverpool Pkwy, left on Chartwell Center Dr, and right on Chartown Dr. Life Fellowship Church is on your left.
It's about 3.7 miles and about 10 minutes. From the Davidson College campus it's closer to 5 miles and about 15 minutes. Open directions in Google Maps.
Parking is free and on site at the church, with plenty of room. No hunting for a spot on Main Street, and no shuttle.
| 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. Want help choosing? Our pick-your-distance guide has a short training plan for each.
Wednesday, Nov 25, 11 AM–3 PM at Life Fellowship Church, or race morning from 6:30 AM. From Davidson you're 10 minutes out, so race-morning pickup is easy.
Every runner brings one non-perishable food item. The donations, plus a share of race proceeds, go to the Human Health Project, which supports local shelters.
About 3.7 miles, or about 10 minutes from downtown Davidson via Griffith St, I-77 South and Exit 28 (Catawba Ave). From the Davidson College campus it's about 15 minutes.
Yes. The Lake Norman Half Marathon Turkey Trot's half marathon starts at 7:30 AM on Thanksgiving Day in Cornelius, about 10 minutes from Davidson. It's the only Thanksgiving Day half marathon within 150 miles of Charlotte.
Through Oct 31: half $70, 10K $50, 5K $40, virtual $59, plus the RunSignUp fee. Prices go up Nov 1 and again Nov 23.
All asphalt, including the paved McDowell Creek Greenway out-and-back. There are no trails or mud.
Yes. It's free and on site at Life Fellowship Church, with plenty of room.