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2026 edition held Nov 14, 2026
Next edition expected
Usually November
2027 date not yet confirmed
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The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon is a November road marathon in Charlotte, North Carolina, run from Uptown through some of the city's best-known neighborhoods. It began in 2005 as the Thunder Road Marathon, a name that nodded to the city's ties to NASCAR, and was renamed the Charlotte Marathon in 2015, with Novant Health as title sponsor from 2016. The Charlotte Sports Foundation took over the race in January 2026. A half marathon, a rucking division and a Chick-fil-A 5K run on the same morning. The marathon and half marathon start together at 7:20 a.m. at 525 S Tryon Street, and the finish line is on 4th Street near Mint Street. The course passes through Myers Park, Dilworth, South End, NoDa and Plaza Midwood, begins and ends in Uptown, is certified and is a Boston Marathon qualifier. The time limit for the marathon is six hours. The race supports Novant Health's Hemby Children's Hospital. The men's course record is 2:23:50, set by Adam Jones in 2021, and the women's record is 2:45:04, set by Megan Hepp in 2007.
Typical climate for the race month — an estimate, not a forecast or a race-day record
Mid-November in Charlotte averages a daily high of about 17°C and a low of about 4°C, with some precipitation on around eight days of the month.
The Race
Charlotte
The race was started in 2005 after the Charlotte Observer Marathon came to an end, and it began as the Thunder Road Marathon, with a theme that paid homage to the city's close relationship with NASCAR. It was renamed the Charlotte Marathon in 2015, and Novant Health became the title sponsor in 2016.
Nearly 9,600 athletes took part in the 20th anniversary race in 2024, the first time the marathon, half marathon, relay, rucking division and 5K all reached capacity. A record 11,500 athletes entered the 2025 events, and the 2026 race sold out with more than 13,250 runners registered. The event and its participants have contributed more than $500,000 to programs at Hemby Children's Hospital.
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02:23:50
Adam Jones (2021)
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