Lake Norman Half Marathon Forest Run & 5K
Shade, pavement and a medal worth the hills
The 8th Annual Lean30 Lake Norman Half Marathon Forest Run & 5K runs entirely inside Lake Norman State Park. Every mile is on asphalt, rolling under a green canopy of trees, so you get trail-run views without the roots and rocks. It's beautiful. It's also a little brutal. That's the fun.
The half goes at 7:30 AM, the 5K at 7:35 AM, and everyone starts and finishes at the Lake Norman picnic ground.
Why runners come back
Shade in June
Tall trees cover most of the course, which counts for a lot on a North Carolina summer morning.
Paved the whole way
No off-road sections. Road shoes are all you need.
Two-loop half
The half marathon is two loops, so you know exactly what's coming the second time around.
The medal
We'll say it: the best finisher medal in North Carolina. Halfers also get a hoodie.
Pick your distance
| Half marathon | 5K | Virtual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 7:30 AM | 7:35 AM | Any time, any place |
| Price through Feb 28 | $65 | $30 | $79 |
| Swag | Medal + hoodie | Medal + t-shirt | Medal, t-shirt and swag, shipped the Monday after |
| Awards | Top 3 men & women overall, top 3 per age group | Top 10 men & women overall | Participation medal |
Prices go up March 1, 2027. RunSignUp adds a signup fee at checkout. Half marathoners need to finish by 11:00 AM (3.5 hours).
Race weekend
- Monday of race week: we email the pre-race webinar recording.
- Friday, 12–2 PM: packet pickup at Charlotte Running Company, 146 Mooresville Commons Way, Mooresville.
- Saturday from 6:30 AM: packet pickup at the Lake Norman State Park beach parking lot.
- 7:30 AM half starts · 7:35 AM 5K starts · 11:00 AM half course closes.
Getting there: Lake Norman State Park, 759 State Park Rd, Troutman, NC 28166. About 20 minutes from Mooresville and 45 from Charlotte (no traffic). Open in Google Maps.
Full details, course maps and results: Forest Run race page · Lake Norman Half Marathon Series
Questions
Is the Forest Run a trail race?
No. Both courses are on paved roads inside the state park. No off-road sections.
Can I bring a stroller or my kids?
Strollers start at the back of the 5K, and kids under 4 can walk with their parents for free. No pets.
Is there a time limit?
Half marathoners need to finish by 11:00 AM, which is 3.5 hours.
Can I run it virtually?
Yes. Run any distance, anywhere. Your medal, t-shirt and swag ship the Monday after the race.
Does it count toward the Lake Norman Half Marathon Series?
Yes. The Forest Run is one of the series races. There's no separate series fee.