Turkey Trot Near Troutman & Statesville: Worth the I-77 Drive on Thanksgiving Morning

If you're up in Troutman or Statesville, you've got a little more interstate between you and us than most of our runners do. Here's why plenty of north Iredell folks make the drive anyway: the 20th Annual IDNutrition Lake Norman Half Marathon Turkey Trot 10K & 5K has a half marathon, a 10K and a 5K on one morning, with free parking right at the start, and it's a straight shot down I-77 to Exit 28 in Cornelius. 2026 is our 20th year.

Register for the Lake Norman Half Marathon Turkey Trot

Full race details

Why it's worth the drive from north Iredell

  • The Thanksgiving half marathon. It's the only Thanksgiving Day half marathon within 150 miles of Charlotte. Two loops on paved Cornelius roads, about 721 feet of climbing in total, and an out-and-back on the McDowell Creek Greenway. If your long runs are on the trails at Lake Norman State Park, note that this one is all asphalt, so leave the trail shoes at home.
  • A 10K at 7:35 AM. It's a real race distance, and you'll still be home in Statesville before lunch.
  • A 5K at 7:40 AM for the rest of the car: walkers, strollers (start at the back) and kids. Kids under 4 walk free with a parent.
  • The 20th-year swag. A medal we're proud of, a tech shirt, a collector's edition backpack, and a hoodie for half marathoners who register by Oct 23.
  • Awards three deep at every distance, overall and in every age group.

Getting here from Troutman or Statesville

From Troutman: take Main St (US 21 / NC 115) south to I-77 South, then go about 13 miles to Exit 28 (Catawba Ave / Cornelius). Turn left on Liverpool Pkwy, left on Chartwell Center Dr, and right on Chartown Dr. That's about 17 miles and about 25 minutes.

From Statesville: get on I-77 South and stay on it for about 20 miles to Exit 28, then follow the same three turns. From downtown that's about 23 miles and about 31 minutes.

You'll pass Mooresville on the way (we have a page for them too, if you're carpooling). Open directions in Google Maps. Drive times are approximate, with no traffic.

Plan your morning (the part that matters when you're 30 minutes out)

  • Skip the Wednesday trip. Packet pickup opens at 6:30 AM on race morning at the church, so there's no need to drive down on Wednesday (Wednesday pickup is 11 AM–3 PM if you're in Cornelius anyway).
  • Half marathoners: leave Statesville around 6:15 AM or Troutman around 6:25 AM. That gets you parked with time to grab your bib before the 7:30 start.
  • Parking is free and on site at the church, with plenty of room, so it's one stop for parking, pickup, start, finish and awards.
  • Dress in layers. It's usually in the 30s or 40s at the start. Bring a dry shirt for the ride home.
  • Bring a can. Every runner brings one non-perishable food item for the Human Health Project.

Pick your distance

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. Not sure which one? Our pick-your-distance guide has a short training plan for each.

Sign up for the half marathonSign up for the 10KSign up for the 5K

Spending Thanksgiving somewhere else?

The virtual run lets you do any distance, anywhere, and we ship the medal, shirt and swag the Monday after the race. It's $59, and registration stays open until noon on Thanksgiving.

Register now. Prices go up after Oct 31

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Thanksgiving half marathon near Statesville?

Yes. The Lake Norman Half Marathon Turkey Trot's half marathon starts at 7:30 AM on Thanksgiving Day in Cornelius, about 31 minutes south of Statesville on I-77 (Exit 28).

How far is it from Troutman?

About 17 miles and about 25 minutes via I-77 South to Exit 28 (Catawba Ave) in Cornelius.

Can I pick up my packet on race morning?

Yes. Race-morning packet pickup opens at 6:30 AM at Life Fellowship Church in Cornelius.

How much is it?

Through Oct 31: half $70, 10K $50, 5K $40, virtual $59, plus the RunSignUp fee. Prices go up Nov 1 and again Nov 23.

Is the course trail or road?

All paved road, plus the paved McDowell Creek Greenway out-and-back. There's no trail running.