From the Organizer
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
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:
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
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
75°
Typical Low
54°
Chance of Rain
28%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Durham 11 W, 7 mi from the venue.
Host City
Elevation
538 ft
Nearest Airport
RDU
Raleigh-Durham International Airport · 22 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at 9th Annual Historic Hillsborough Half Marathon and 5K - 2026, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
118
Days to train
Coming Up
ACPA Race Challenges
9 miles away
Four on the Fourth
9 miles away
Carrboro 5K/10K
9 miles away
Rootrock Trail Run - 5K/10K/Half Marathon
9 miles away
From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
9th Annual Historic Hillsborough Half Marathon and 5K - 2026
Oct 4, 2026