Mooresville, this one's for you. The 20th Annual IDNutrition Lake Norman Half Marathon Turkey Trot 10K & 5K is about 9 miles south of downtown, in Cornelius, and on Thanksgiving morning that's about an 18-minute drive down I-77. You get a 5K, a 10K and the only Thanksgiving Day half marathon within 150 miles of Charlotte, all from one free parking lot. 2026 is our 20th year.
From downtown, take Main St / NC 115 south and turn right on Langtree Rd to get on I-77 South toward Charlotte. 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.
That's about 9.3 miles and about 18 minutes with no traffic. On Thanksgiving morning, I-77 is about as empty as it gets. Open directions in Google Maps.
Timing tip: half marathoners should leave Mooresville by about 6:45 AM to park, grab a bib and use the restroom before the 7:30 start. 5K families can leave closer to 7:00.
| 5K | 10K | Half marathon | Virtual | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 7:40 AM | 7:35 AM | 7:30 AM | Anytime |
| Price through Oct 31 | $40 | $50 | $70 | $59 |
| Nov 1–22 | $45 | $55 | $75 | $59 |
| Best for | Families, walkers, strollers (start at the back) | A real race before dinner | The Thanksgiving long run | Out-of-town Thanksgivings |
Prices are race fees. RunSignUp adds a signup fee at checkout. You can read more about each distance on the homepage: 5K · 10K · half marathon. Still torn? Our pick-your-distance guide has a short training plan for each one.
A finisher medal, a short-sleeve tech shirt (register by Oct 23 to lock in your size), a collector's edition backpack, and a hoodie for half marathoners who register by Oct 23. Awards go three deep, overall and in every age group, at every distance. And there are prizes for the best turkey costumes, so dress the family up.
Grab your packet on Wednesday, Nov 25, 11 AM–3 PM at the church, or just come early on race morning (pickup opens at 6:30 AM). Most Mooresville families do it race morning and skip the extra drive.
Every runner brings one non-perishable food item for the Human Health Project, which supports local shelters. It's been part of this race since the early years.
About 9 miles and about 18 minutes from downtown Mooresville. Take I-77 South to Exit 28 (Catawba Ave) in Cornelius. The race is at Life Fellowship Church, 20010 Chartown Dr.
A half marathon (7:30 AM), a 10K (7:35 AM), a 5K (7:40 AM) and a virtual run you can do anywhere.
Through Oct 31, 2026: 5K $40, 10K $50, half marathon $70, virtual $59, plus the RunSignUp fee. Prices go up Nov 1 and again Nov 23.
On site at Life Fellowship Church, where packet pickup, the start and the finish all happen. It's free, and there's plenty of room.
Yes. Walkers of every age are welcome. Strollers start at the back of the 5K, and kids under 4 walk free with a parent.
Half marathoners: about 6:45 AM. 10K and 5K: about 7:00 AM. Leave a few extra minutes if you're picking up your packet that morning.