Occoneechee Mountain Challenge 10 Mile Race
- Date Sun 25th January 2026
- Time 9:00AM EST
- Location Hillsborough, North Carolina
- Price $64.85
- Races 1 race
- Distances 10 Mile
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Event summary
Get ready to lace up your running shoes for the exciting Occoneechee Mountain Challenge 10 Mile Race, taking place on Sunday, January 25, 2026, in the picturesque town of Hillsborough, Orange County. This thrilling trail race, organized by the Hillsborough Running Club, begins and ends at the historic Occoneechee Speedway Track, offering participants a unique blend of scenic beauty and challenging terrain.
The course features stunning views along the Riverwalk, part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, as you make your way past the Occaneechi Indian Village and through the serene Gold Park. Runners will experience a 700-foot elevation gain, primarily in the middle third of the race, which includes a single-track route around Occoneechee Mountain, the highest point in Orange County. With 3.5 miles of paved paths and a mix of gravel and rugged trails, this race promises an exhilarating adventure for all levels of runners. Participants can look forward to delicious post-race refreshments, including award-winning beef and veggie chili, all while supporting local charities through the event’s proceeds. Whether you prefer to run or walk, the Occoneechee Mountain Challenge is an event not to be missed!
The course features stunning views along the Riverwalk, part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, as you make your way past the Occaneechi Indian Village and through the serene Gold Park. Runners will experience a 700-foot elevation gain, primarily in the middle third of the race, which includes a single-track route around Occoneechee Mountain, the highest point in Orange County. With 3.5 miles of paved paths and a mix of gravel and rugged trails, this race promises an exhilarating adventure for all levels of runners. Participants can look forward to delicious post-race refreshments, including award-winning beef and veggie chili, all while supporting local charities through the event’s proceeds. Whether you prefer to run or walk, the Occoneechee Mountain Challenge is an event not to be missed!
Organiser's Description
10 MILE TRAIL RACE ORGANIZED BY THE HILLSBOROUGH RUNNING CLUB
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
1. Race will start and finish on the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Track
2. Runners will then run on the beautiful Riverwalk (part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail), past the Occaneechi Indian Village, and through Gold Park
3. 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).
Link to Race the Nation video taken during the 2022 event: https://www.facebook.com/OMC10miler/videos/1301751927256816
Link to 'Relive' view of the course, with some photos: https://www.relive.cc/view/vevW75xZwyv
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.
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 FROM THE EVENT: 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 22RD 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.
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
1. Race will start and finish on the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Track
2. Runners will then run on the beautiful Riverwalk (part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail), past the Occaneechi Indian Village, and through Gold Park
3. 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).
Link to Race the Nation video taken during the 2022 event: https://www.facebook.com/OMC10miler/videos/1301751927256816
Link to 'Relive' view of the course, with some photos: https://www.relive.cc/view/vevW75xZwyv
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.
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 FROM THE EVENT: 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 22RD 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.
Races
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Occoneechee Mountain Challenge
Incl. $4.85 Fee & 16oz RTIC Travel Mug
Sun 25th January 2026 (9:00AM EST)
$64.85
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Historic Occoneechee Speedway Track, 320 Elizabeth Brady Road, Hillsborough, 27278, NC, United States
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Occoneechee Mountain Challenge 10 Mile Race
