Program will support up to 30 elite and emerging American runners through competitive opportunities, hospitality and $23,000 in prize money
ORLANDO, Fla. – June 22, 2026 – The OUC Orlando Half Marathon Athlete Development Program will return for the event’s historic 50th running on December 5, 2026. The program will support up to 10 elite athletes and up to 20 sub-elite athletes through race-entry assistance, hospitality support and a $23,000 prize purse.
Established following Orlando’s hosting of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon, the program reflects Track Shack Events’ commitment to fostering excellence in distance running and creating opportunities for athletes to compete against national-caliber fields.
“The 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon left a lasting impression on Orlando,” said Jon Hughes, co-owner of Track Shack Events, the event owner and producer. “Our community embraced the athletes, the competition and the spirit of the sport. Through the Athlete Development Program, we’re creating opportunities for the next generation of American distance runners to compete in Orlando while keeping that excitement for road racing alive in our city.”
In addition to athlete support, the program seeks to strengthen community engagement by connecting runners with the local community through athlete stories and race-week activities.
Florida-based athletes also can compete for prize money in this nationally recognized race.
Applications for the 2026 Athlete Development Program are now open.
For more information or to register, visit OrlandoHalfMarathon.com. Follow on social media at @OrlandoHalfMarathon on Instagram and on Facebook at ouchalfmarathonand5K.
About the OUC Orlando Half Marathon
Forty-nine years running, the OUC Orlando Half Marathon has been one of the top half marathons in the southeast. It is Florida’s first half marathon and the first event in Florida to earn any level certification by the Council for Responsible Sport, the world’s leading sustainability certification program dedicated to supporting, certifying, and celebrating responsible sports events and organizations. The OUC Orlando Half Marathon has received Silver and Gold certifications from the Council for Responsible Sport.
About OUC—The Reliable One
For more than 100 years, OUC—The Reliable One has provided exceptional value to its customers and community through the delivery of sustainable and reliable services and solutions. The utility provides electric, water, chilled water, lighting and solar services to more than 400,000 accounts in Orlando, St. Cloud and parts of unincorporated Orange and Osceola counties. As OUC prepares for the next century, it remains committed to its goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 while supporting its community with conservation, sustainability and energy efficiency resources. Visit www.ouc.com to learn more.
About the Track Shack Family of Companies
Track Shack of Orlando opened for business in 1977 as a small retail operation focused on selling running shoes and apparel. Owners Jon and Betsy Hughes were awarded Florida’s Retailer of the Year 2015 by the Florida Retail Federation. Jon and Betsy also own Track Shack Events, a sports marketing company that specializes in marketing, management, and production of active lifestyle events. The award-winning professional staff has earned Track Shack Events a reputation as one of America’s top sports marketing companies. Track Shack Events co-produced the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon in Orlando. The mission of Track Shack Events is that each event produced will benefit the entire community – runners and walkers, sponsors, and charities. Run to TrackShack.com.