Ouc Half Marathon & 5k

Track Shack has made an art out of incredibly well orchestrated, fun running events, and the Orlando Half Marathon is one of my favorite community events. It’s not my favorite half marathon course, but it’s just a great race experience.
The first half of the course is mostly flat, but it’s not so scenic and is exposed to the sun and elements. If it’s a hot year, you’ll feel the sun through the first half. The second half is through beautiful neighborhoods ending downtown, but there are lots of small hills and brick roads. If you’re not careful or push to hard, it will tear you up for the next few days.
Track Shack is a role model business and puts on role model events. You may not PR at this course, but it has a wonderful community feel as neighbors and their kids come out to cheer you on and sometimes offer you a beer. The after party is decent as well.
For me, the Orlando Half is one of my new annual staples.

Ouch! I hurt all over! But it’s in a good way. I just ran to OUC half and as with all Track Shack sponsored events, this was organized flawlessly. The 13.1 miles flowed through residential neighborhoods, lakesides, and downtown Orlando. Very scenic, and nothing else gives me that community feel as much as road races here. Orlando truly has an amazing running community. The race was brutal at times, it was pretty hot for December and those brick roads are murder on the feet and legs. The great thing is there was plenty of distractions to take your mind of the torture. They had bands of all kinds playing along the route (even bag pipers. whoo hoo!) plenty of water stops, and crowds cheering us on the entire route.
I finished much faster than I anticipated (2:02:48) And I got a super cool medal at the end.
One thing that bums me out is that for the second time Track Shack gave me the wrong shirt in my racing packet so be sure to check your shirt size and gender while you are at the store.
I love Track Shack events, and I plan to run many, many more.

So this has been an orlando tradition for sometime now. I just have the fortunate opportunity to participate this year in the 5k.
Not sure of the half route, but 5k route had tons of girls on the run group and other 5k groups.
Everything was organized and straight forward. Race swag including tee shirts, beer, chocolate milk race bags and other what nots.
I have no idea who the beneficiary is for this race if any. However happy for the choice of short or long race. Gives me plenty of time to write review while friend finishes half.
Anyone that runs a half is crazy.. .I should know, ive done it 3 times.

Just ran these beautiful 13.1 miles today. Im pretty happy with the organization and the abundance of water stops throughout the course. I took advantage of the pacers which did a great job keeping me close to my target time. The medals were big and blingy! Oh yeah, they somehow managed to sneak in a couple of hills towards the end of the course. Baby hills, but they kicked my ass nonetheless. Thanks OUC Half marathon organizers… o. O