Novant Health Charlotte Marathon

The Queen City’s only full marathon, plus a half, a Chick-fil-A 5K and a rucking division, all starting in Uptown and looping through Dilworth, Myers Park, NoDa and Plaza Midwood before finishing back in the center city. The course is a Boston qualifier, the November weather is usually ideal, and the block parties along the route in Dilworth and NoDa are as much a part of the day as the running.

The race started in 2005 as the Thunder Road Marathon, took the Novant Health name in 2016, and has grown into one of the Southeast’s bigger running weekends. Proceeds support Hemby Children’s Hospital. The expo and packet pickup at the Convention Center on Friday is free and open to anyone.

What to expect

• Full marathon, half marathon, 5K and a rucking division
• Boston Marathon qualifying course
• Route through Dilworth, Myers Park, NoDa and Plaza Midwood
• Free health and wellness expo at the Convention Center the day before

Schedule

• Fri, Nov. 13 Health and Wellness Expo and packet pickup, Charlotte Convention Center, free
• Sat 7:10 a.m. Chick-fil-A 5K start
• Sat 7:20 a.m. Marathon, half marathon and ruck start

Plan your visit

Registration prices go up after Sept. 30. Spectators: the Dilworth and NoDa stretches are the best places to watch, and the finish line in Uptown is loud from mid morning on.

Good to know

• Road closures start before dawn across Uptown, Dilworth and Myers Park. Check the closure map if you live along the route.
• The half marathon is the biggest field and runs the first half of the full course.
• Ruckers weigh in before the start; 20 pound plate over 150 pounds body weight, 10 pounds under.