Occoneechee Mountain Challenge 10 Mile
Hillsborough, United States • 22 Feb 2026
Occoneechee Mountain Challenge 10 Mile Race
The Occoneechee Mountain Challenge is a 10 mile trail race in Hillsborough, North Carolina, organized by the Hillsborough Running Club. The event starts and finishes at the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Track and follows sections of the Eno River Riverwalk, which is part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, passing the Occaneechi Indian Village and Gold Park.
The course combines paved and natural surfaces. About 3.5 miles are paved (the section from roughly mile 1.3 to mile 3 out and the same section on the return). The middle portion is single-track trail around Occoneechee Mountain, with the climb to the peak and descent on a gravel access road. The route includes rocks, roots, steps and mud, and has approximately 700 feet of elevation gain, most of it in the middle third of the course.
The route is almost entirely off public roads and crosses a single road. A 2.5 hour time limit applies (15 minutes per mile pace). There are two aid stations that runners pass twice; both stations supply water, Gatorade and gels. Aid station locations are listed as Gold Park (miles 2.5 and 7.5) and near the bottom of the gravel road at the mountain (around miles 4.5 and 5.5).
Post-race provisions include beef and vegetarian chili, bread and coffee. Event proceeds support local charities and organizations. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.