Occoneechee Mountain Challenge 10 Mile Race

🏃‍♂️ Race Overview

10 mile trail race organized by the Hillsborough Running Club

🌲 Course Highlights

• Start and Finish: Race will start and finish on the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Track.
• Scenic Route: Runners will then run on the beautiful Riverwalk (part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail), past the Occaneechi Indian Village, and through Gold Park.
• Mountain Challenge: The middle third of this race will take you around and up to the top of Occoneechee Mountain, the highest point in Orange County. 3.5 miles are paved (from mile 1.3 to 3 heading out, and the same section heading back). The middle 3.5 mile is single track around the mountain (rise to the peak and back is gravel access road).

🎥 Media Links

• Race the Nation Video: Link to Race the Nation video taken during the 2022 event: Watch Here
• Course View: Link to 'Relive' view of the course, with some photos: View Here

⛰️ Trail Conditions

In January, this could be a tricky trail (if you are unfamiliar with the trail, please take a look at the pictures below). There will be 700ft of elevation gain, almost all of which is in the middle third, and the trail has rocks, roots, steps, mud, everything you're looking for in a great trail course.

🍲 Food and Awards

We plan to provide our fabulous award winning beef chili (Hoof Beat Farm, Hillsborough) and veggie chili, bread, and coffee at the finish line.

💰 Proceeds

HRC is a non profit organization, so all proceeds will go back to local charities and organizations.

⏳ Time Limit

The route is entirely off the public roads (it crosses one road). Time limit is 2.5 hours (15 min/mile pace). Run/walkers are welcome, or if you want, you can run the flat sections, and walk the trail section. You will not be able to walk the whole course though.

🚰 Aid Stations

Two aid stations that you will pass twice. There will be water, Gatorade and gels available at both:

• Gold Park: miles 2.5 and 7.5.
• Bottom of Gravel Road: at the mountain (miles 4.5, 5.5 ish).

🎫 Packet Pick-up

Pick up will be at the Eno River Brewing in Hillsborough from 4pm to 7pm Thursday 22nd January (TBC - we will be out back on the patio), and on race morning from 8am to 8.45am (top of the bleachers as you come in from the parking lot. Signs will be there to direct you), just before race start (9am).

🅿️ Parking

Parking will be at OE Enterprises, located just beyond the main Speedway entrance off Elizabeth Brady Road. There will be signs to direct you from Elizabeth Brady Road.

📅 Event Details

Occoneechee Mountain Challenge 10 Mile Race

Date: January 25, 2026

Location: Historic Occoneechee Speedway Track, 320 Elizabeth Brady Road, Hillsborough, NC

For more information, visit the race page: Occoneechee Mountain Challenge.