2024 Mount Dora Half Marathon

After a week of camping at Disney World, I am finally getting around to doing a race report on the Mount Dora Half Marathon in Mount Dora, Florida. This is an OUTSTANDING race.

I was not able to pick up my packet the day before, so I grabbed it early in the morning of the race. This process is a bit unusual at Mount Dora since the packet pickup is held at a different location than the race itself. However, it's not far (3/10 of a mile or so) and lets you see the beautiful holiday lights that decorate downtown Mount Dora. This is a beautiful town, quirky and picturesque with a very cool vibe. Parking can be a little tricky - small lots are scattered across the city - but the organizers sent out great instructions with the areas marked.

The race itself starts in a lakeside park with quite a pre-race party vibe. A giant inflatable Santa makes it very clear where the starting line is located!

As for the race itself, I absolutely love the course. It shows off the city of Mount Dora well, gives a great tour of some cool homes, and offers lovely views of the lake. The half marathon also has views of apparently every hill in Central Florida. Florida itself is generally flat, perhaps because they all were pushed into Mount Dora. This is, without a doubt, the hilliest race I have ever run in Florida. Luckily, I love hilly races since I train in a very hilly location anyway. It was a bit cold at the start of the race but warmed up steadily as the sun came up. Santa and I enjoyed waving to the friendly locals cheering on the runners as we navigated the hills. Support on the course with hydration and police was outstanding although one stretch of lakeside out-and-back where we shared the road with traffic was a bit awkward.

The finishing stretch -- largely downhill! -- through the middle of the town was energizing and the festive stilt-walkers at the finish added a great touch. Factor in a great medal and technical shirt, outstanding food at the finish line, and free race photos and you have a superb race experience. When I walked back to my truck I even found a local street festival in full swing with outstanding food and merchandise for sale. I was able to enjoy empanadas from a vendor to wrap up an outstanding half marathon.

If you are in Central Florida over the holidays, you need to run this race!