9th Annual Historic Hillsborough Half Marathon and 5K - 2026

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 5K
• T-shirts (male and female cut) and youth sizes if you registered before the t-shirt deadline
• Note: 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), 4-7pm
• Saturday 3rd October, Hillsborough, Farmers Mkt Pavilion (race finish area), 1-5pm
• Sunday 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; 80-84; 85-90; 90+
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; 80-84; 85-90; 90+

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