2026 PRESENTING SPONSOR

The challenge returns for 2026!

The Huntersville Holiday 5k will start on Friday night at 7:00 pm. The Huntersville Half Marathon and 10K will start on Saturday morning at 8:00 am. With this schedule it will allow runners to bundle two events if they are up for the challenge. Please be very careful while registering and make certain you are registering for the correct event or challenge.

Cash Prizes

$1500 Cash Prizes Presented by Fleet Feet Sports Huntersville

Overall Half Marathon (Male & Female) - 1st Place $150; 2nd Place $115; 3rd Place $85

Overall 10k (Male & Female) - 1st Place $125; 2nd Place $75; 3rd Place $50

Overall 5K (Male & Female) - 1st Place $75; 2nd Place $50; 3rd Place $25

Plus age group prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each age group (male and female). Also, look out for the two on course challenges...Hardcore Hill (a timed 1/4 mile up hill run) brought to you by Hardcore Serious Fitness and Sprint to Finish (a timed 100 meter sprint at the last turn) brought to you by Feetures Socks. Awards for top finishers (male and female) in each age group.

Ruck Division

BACK AGAIN! Participants must carry a weighted rucksack or backpack with a minimum of 10 lbs (women) or 20 lbs (men).

Hoodies & T-shirts

All participants who register for the Half Marathon by December 1st will be guaranteed a fleece hoodie or long sleeve technical shirt in the requested size. If you register after December 1st we will accommodate your request while supplies last. Please register early to guarantee your size. Hoodies and tech shirts are for Half Marathon participants ONLY.

All participants who register for the 10K by December 1st will be guaranteed a t-shirt hoodie in the requested size. If you register after December 1st you will receive a shirt while supplies last. If you register for a particular size you are guaranteed that size. If you register and your size is not available you may be able to exchange for the particular size post race.

All participants who register for the Holiday 5K by December 1st will be guaranteed a long sleeve cotton shirt in the requested size. If you register after December 1st you will receive a shirt while supplies last. If you register for a particular size you are guaranteed that size. If you register and your size is not available you may be able to exchange for the particular size post race.

All runners will receive a medal upon finishing. All challenge runners will receive a challenge medal after finishing the half marathon on Saturday from the challenge tent once we verify completion of both distances. (Note: you must be registered as a challenge runner to receive the challenge medal.)

Speed For Need

The MISSION of SPEED FOR NEED is to empower members of the community affected by disability or disease through participation in fitness events. Simply put, our goal is to help people get to the Finish Line and finish the race… their race.

We do this by mobilizing High Impact Men (HIM) in F3 Nation in responsibly pushing these loved ones in specialized racing chairs to create an experience impossible by themselves due to their limitations. In doing so, SPEED FOR NEED exists for the enjoyment of the athlete-rider (who we call Track Commanders) and their families, to raise awareness and financial support for local charities and partners, and to increase the visibility of F3Nation in our communities for the purpose of invigorating all men, and sparking a call to action.

SPEED FOR NEED was created earlier this year and ran the first race on July 4th down in Charlotte. To date, we have run 9 races, including the Run for your Life Novant Health 5K, in Cornelius, a couple of weeks ago. Below is the race video that was made to commemorate that race and will give you an idea of the impact that the race has on the Track Commanders and the community. The SPEED FOR NEED website (www.speedforneed.com) also has a bunch of information and race videos from past races (they are all well worth your time):

Refund/Transfer/Deferment Policy

Refund Policy: The Huntersville Half Marathon, 10K and Holiday 5K maintains a NO REFUND policy.

Transfer Policy: The Huntersville Half Marathon does allow transfers from a registered runner to another runner and from event to event (change distance). If the transfer is to a less expensive event, there will be no refunds. If the transfer is to a more expensive event, the difference will be paid. All transfer fees will be paid by the participant. All transfers will be completed online until December 1st. All additional transfers will need to be requested at packet pickup. Click the Transfer button on the right side of the page.

Deferment Policy: The Huntersville Half Marathon does allow deferment from one year to the next year only. All deferment requests must be documented by emailing the organizers. All deferment requests will be approved or denied based on the organizers discretion. Unfortunately, temporary illness does not constitute a deferral. The deferment window closes on December 1st. All deferred runners will receive registration information via email next year. There will be a $10 fee assessed during registration next year.