Occoneechee Mountain Challenge 10 Mile Race
- Date Sun 22nd February 2026
- Time 9:00AM EST
- Location Hillsborough, North Carolina
- Price $64.85
- Races 1 race
- Distances 10 Mile
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day of outdoor adventure at the Occoneechee Mountain Challenge 10 Mile Race, happening on Sunday, February 22, 2026, in the picturesque town of Hillsborough, Orange County. This thrilling trail race promises a unique experience as it starts and finishes on the historic Occoneechee Speedway Track. Participants will traverse stunning landscapes, including the scenic Riverwalk, the captivating Occaneechi Indian Village, and the beautiful Gold Park.
Runners will face an exciting challenge as they tackle 700 feet of elevation gain, culminating in a climb to the top of Occoneechee Mountain—Orange County's highest point. With a mix of paved paths and rugged single-track trails featuring rocks, roots, and mud, this course is perfect for both seasoned trail runners and newcomers alike. Enjoy delicious post-race beef and veggie chili, fresh bread, and coffee at the finish line while knowing that all proceeds from the event go to support local charities. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable race day experience!
Runners will face an exciting challenge as they tackle 700 feet of elevation gain, culminating in a climb to the top of Occoneechee Mountain—Orange County's highest point. With a mix of paved paths and rugged single-track trails featuring rocks, roots, and mud, this course is perfect for both seasoned trail runners and newcomers alike. Enjoy delicious post-race beef and veggie chili, fresh bread, and coffee at the finish line while knowing that all proceeds from the event go to support local charities. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable race day experience!
Organiser's Description
RACE IS ON FOR SUNDAY 22ND FEBRUARY
EMAIL HAS BEEN SENT TO ALL RUNNERS TODAY - AND ANOTHER WILL FOLLOW IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
THE TEMPORARY OPTION TO DEFER OR RECEIVE A REFUND HAS ENDED. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE ON SUNDAY. NO PRE RACE BIB PICK UP - YOU WILL GET EVERYTHING ON RACE MORNING.
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
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.
EMAIL HAS BEEN SENT TO ALL RUNNERS TODAY - AND ANOTHER WILL FOLLOW IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
THE TEMPORARY OPTION TO DEFER OR RECEIVE A REFUND HAS ENDED. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE ON SUNDAY. NO PRE RACE BIB PICK UP - YOU WILL GET EVERYTHING ON RACE MORNING.
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
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
-
Occoneechee Mountain Challenge
Incl. $4.85 Fee & 16oz Travel Mug or Blanket
Sun 22nd February 2026 (9:00AM EST)
$64.85
CLOSED
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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
