Salem, Oregon's
Running & Walking Club Site
Home of
Willamette Valley Road Runners (WVRR)
www.WVRoadrunners.org.

 

Ocala Marathon
by Kathleen Jacob

The first of February, Jesus and I had the opportunity to meet Ron and Charlotte Hartwig at one of their "States Marathon" in Ocala, FL. Ocala is located approx. 75 miles north of Orlando in the heart of horse country.

The weather was usually cold and quite wet at time for the area. This race is a small, very well put-together event. The ratio of volunteers to runners was at least equal, the course well marked and the mile signs were large and easy to read. The roads were not closed for this event, but because of all the volunteers and the traffic support from the local Sheriff’s office, it was fine. This was one of the few races that we have attended that actually had the marathon starting on time and the half marathon about 5 minutes early. (People in FL don't like standing around in the rain either).

Once we began, the course wound through upscale neighborhoods that graduated into small gentleman farms and then onto gracious, very southern, thoroughbred horse farms. Many of these farms had racing tracks and viewing gazebos out front in keeping with tradition. Jesus and I only did the half marathon, but the course was basically the same except the marathon went out a little further into the countryside. We had assumed, since it was Florida, that the course would be flat. It was, however, a series of rolling hills that kept our interest peaked and our legs from getting too tired.

Ron finished the marathon about 10 minutes before Charlotte and looked good, but his lovely wife ran in smooth and easy, wearing a big smile. She looked like maybe she had taken a leisurely jog around the block! Both of these guys took home first in their age groups, and Charlotte also took first in the women's masters division. They are just incredible. Both of them are having fun, staying fit and sharing some of their traveling adventures with the rest of us.

If you are looking for a warmer place to run a small countryside marathon in the winter, this is one for you to consider.