The OUC Orlando Half Marathon is set to celebrate its 50th running on Saturday, Dec. 5, bringing defending champions, Olympic Trials qualifiers and two Olympians to downtown Orlando.
The 13.1-mile race starts at 7:15 a.m. Defending champions Reid Buchanan of Kansas City, Missouri, and Sophia King of Richmond, Virginia, are scheduled to return. Buchanan won the event in 2023 and 2025, while King won the women’s race in 2025 and qualified for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon.
Other announced contenders include Elkanah Kibet, who set the men’s masters event record of 1:05:53 in 2025; 2024 runner-up James Quattlebaum; and Garret Lee, who has qualified for the 2028 Olympic Trials. The women’s field includes three-time Olympic Trials qualifier Savannah Berry, former UCF runner Anne-Marie Blaney and Flannery Davis, a 2028 Olympic Trials qualifier.
Track Shack Events also plans to include sub-elite runners through its Athlete Development Program. The group includes Orlando’s Chris Cabret, Kissimmee’s two-time race winner Fredison Costa, Clermont professional IRONMAN triathlete Gabrielle “Gabbi” Suver, Tampa runner Chloe Byrd and Jacksonville’s Ellie Abraham.
Two-time Olympian and 2018 Boston Marathon winner Des Linden will serve as the official starter, then begin the half marathon in last place. Track Shack said $5 will be donated to the Track Shack Youth Foundation for every participant Linden passes during the race. She is scheduled to present the donation before the Suncoast Credit Union Lake Eola 5K on Dec. 6.
Also expected is 1996 Olympian Keith Brantly of St. Augustine, who won the race in 1994 when it was called the Florida Citrus Sports Half Marathon. WESH 2 is scheduled to broadcast the event live. The athlete field is subject to change.
Produced by Track Shack Events, the OUC Orlando Half Marathon is described by organizers as Florida’s first half marathon. Orlando Utilities Commission is in its 27th year as title sponsor.
