9th Annual Historic Hillsborough Half Marathon and 5K - 2026
Race Date
Oct 4, 2026
Location
Hillsborough, NC
The Experience
Hillsborough, North Carolina is no ordinary small, southern town. Its scenic beauty and graceful architecture spanning three centuries, provide an incredible location for a road race. Hillsborough continues to host numerous successful races, including the Little River Trail runs, Got GRIT 5K race, and the Camp Chestnut Ridge Trail races. Hillsborough Running Club is very pleased to present the 9th Annual Historic Hillsborough Half Marathon and 5K races. Both the half marathon and 5K routes have been designed to showcase many of Hillsborough’s historic sites, and scenic routes. Course Highlights 1. Run past many historic sites in Hillsborough: Old Orange County Courthouse, Burwell School, Margaret Lane Cemetery, Occoneechee Indian Village 2. Half Marathon and 5K runners will run one lap of the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail, the only surviving track from NASCAR's inaugural 1949 season 3. Enjoy running on Churton Street, and on Hillsborough's River Walk, part of the Mountains to Sea trail Merchandise There will be custom medals for all finishers in both the half marathon and 5KT-shirts (male and female cut) and youth sizes if you registered before the t-shirt deadlineNote: for female sizing - you may want to order a size or two larger than you would normally Anyone needing to change t-shirt size needs to come to the t-shirt table at the pavilion after the race Packet Pick-up Packet pick-up dates, times and locations are as follows: Thursday 1st October Fleet Feet Durham (Southpoint Store), 4-7pmSaturday 3rd October, Hillsborough, Farmers Mkt Pavilion (race finish area), 1-5pmSunday 4th October, Race morning, 6.00-7.00am Awards Awards to the overall top three male and female winners, top three male and female masters (40+), and top three males and females in each of the following age groups. Half Marathon age groups are as follows: 19 & under; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-80; 80+ 5K age groups are as follows: 9 and under; 10-12; 13-15; 16-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-80; 80+ Cut off time End of race is 11am for both races, which is 3.5 hours for the half marathon, and 3 hours 20 mins for the 5K Parking Details will be emailed to all participants during the week of the race, in short, parking is at the deck by Weaver Street Market and at River Park Elementary School
Logistics
Race Day
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Start Time
7:30 AM
Giveaway
T-Shirt
Start Location
Eno River Farmers Market, Hillsborough, NC, 27278
Course Info
USATF CertifiedCourse Type
Loop Course
Terrain
road
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Elevation Gain
0'
Net Drop/km
+0.30 m
Separation
0.9%
Also Offers
USATF Certified Course
NC16049DF · Historic Hillsborough Half Marathon
Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
58°
Afternoon (High)
75°
Warm — hydration strategy is key, start conservatively
0.0"
Precipitation
8 mph
Wind
77%
Humidity
Race Photos
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