5th Annual IDN Lake Norman Half Marathon Elf Classic, 10K, 5K & 5K Ruck
December 19, 2026
Troutman, NC
Details
The 5th Annual IDN Lake Norman Half Marathon Elf Classic & 5K is the cold weather cousin of one of the most popular races in North Carolina – Lake Norman Half Marathon Forest Run & 5K In 2022 and 2023 the race was held in the gorgeous and pristine Lake Norman State Park. In 2024 due to hurricane Helene damage it was held in Mooresville, NC. In 2024 we returned to Lake Norman State Park.
Race Distances
- Half Marathon run (13.1 miles) starts at 7:30am
- 10K run (6.2 miles) starts at 7:40am
- 5K run / walk (3.1 miles) starts at 7:45am
- 5K Ruck (3.1 miles) starts at 7:45am
- Men wear 20# Ruck plate, vest or back pack (will be checked at start line)
- Women wear 10# Ruck plate, vest or back pack (will be checked at start line)
- Virtual Run (any distance)
Directions
The race starts and finishes at the Lake Norman Picnic Ground, Statesville, NC 28677. Click here for exact driving instructions (this is the public beach at Lake Norman State Park NOT the visitors center)
Swag
- The best finisher medal in North Carolina!
- Short Sleeve Tech Tshirt – 10K, 5K and Ruck (to get a tshirt guaranteed in your size you must register by 12/1/26)
- Hooded sweat shirt – Half Marathon Only
Awards
Half Marathon
- Overall: Top 3 Men & Top 3 Women
- Age Groups: Top 3 Men & Top 3 Women
10K
- Overall: Top 3 Men & Top 3 Women
- Age Groups: Top 3 Men & Top 3 Women
5K
- Overall: Top 3 Men & Top 3 Women
- Age Groups: Top 3 Men & Top 3 Women
5K Ruck
- All competitors who complete in 35 minutes will receive the Elf Classic Ruck Patch and Elf Classic Challenge Coin
- All competitors who complete in 45 minutes will receive the Elf Classic Ruck Patch
- All competitors who complete in 45:01 minutes or later will receive an Elf Classic finisher medal
Virtual Run
- Participation medal
- Race Tshirt
- Race swag
- Shipped on Monday after the race
Schedule
Monday – 12/14/26
7:00 am – prerace webinar recording sent out via email
Friday – 12/18/26
12:00 pm – Packet pick opens at Charlotte Running Company, 146 Mooresville Commons Way suite i, Mooresville, NC 28117
3:00 pm – Packet pick up closes
Saturday – 12/19/26
6:30 am – registration / packet pick up opens at Lake Norman Picnic Ground, Statesville, NC 28677
7:30 am – Half Marathon start
7:40 am – 10K start
7:45 am – 5K & 5K Ruck start
8:45 am – 5K awards ceremony
9:45 am – 2026 Lake Norman Half Marathon Series awards ceremony
10:00 am – 10K awards ceremony
10:15 am – Half Marathon awards ceremony
11:00 am – Half Marathon course closes
Beneficiary
Human Health Project is an organization issues grants and donates non-perishable food items to local food shelters. We ask all athletes to bring a non-perishable food item.
5K Course Information
Half Marathon Course Information
10K Course Information (coming soon)
Venue Map
Referral Program
Earn back your entry fee by sharing the race with your friends and family. It’s super simple: after you register for the race you will be given a referral code. Simply share that code in whichever way it makes sense for you and you’ll earn portions of your entry free. Read more right here.
Volunteers
No Race can be held without caring and knowledgeable volunteers who are willing to serve on race day. As such we have a program where if you volunteer you can race for free! To sign up to be a volunteer click on this link.
Results
Lake Norman Half Marathon Series
This race is race #4 of the 2026 Lake Norman Half Marathon Series.
Additional Details
- Half Marathoners need to be able to finish by 11am (3.5 hours) due to traffic congestion.
- All courses are on asphalt road – no off road.
- Strollers start in the back of the 5K.
- Toddlers under 4 can / walk with parents for free.
- No pets, firearms or alcohol permitted.
- Absolutely NO LITTERING.
- No running side by side.
Weather
TROUTMAN WEATHERPolicies
Please note: THERE ARE NO REFUNDS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
Testimonials
Check what our athletes are saying about the race!
Registration
Prices go up on the following dates:
- October 1, 2026
- November 1, 2026
- December 1, 2026
- December 14, 2026
Save $$ by registering early!
We ask all athletes to please bring a non-perishable food item if possible, you can leave that at registration.
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Sponsors
Please contact us directly for sponsorship opportunities at hello@epicsportsmarketing.com