CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot

CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot is billed as the largest road race in North Carolina and takes place in Charlotte on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026, starting and finishing at SouthPark Mall. The morning opens with the Harris Teeter 1 Mile at 8:00 a.m., followed by the CPI Security 8K (about 5 miles) at 8:10 a.m. and the CPI Security 5K (3.1 miles) at 9:10 a.m. Runners and walkers are both welcome. The festive atmosphere includes music, the national anthem and a Finish Festival, plus long-sleeve T-shirts, finisher medals, a free Tot Trot and a costume contest. Sponsor booths and complimentary adult beverages round out the day, and you are encouraged to bring a toy for the CMPD Explorers Holiday Toy Drive.

The 8K is the standout format here: it is long enough to reward endurance but short enough to race hard, making it a good end-of-season target if you have been training for a 10K or half marathon this fall. The 5K suits first-timers and families, and the 1 Mile is a good fit for kids or a warm-up before a longer race. In a field this size, arrive early and line up by realistic pace.