Sustainability takes priority at the OUC Orlando Half Marathon. As we look ahead to the 50th running of the event this year, protecting our race courses and community spaces is an important part of how we approach sustainability.
The OUC Orlando Half Marathon is the first event in Florida to earn certification from the Council for Responsible Sport, the world’s leading sustainability certification program dedicated to supporting and celebrating responsible sporting events and organizations. The event received Silver Level Certification in 2016 and 2022 and Gold Level Certification in 2018 and 2024. Looking ahead to this year’s race, the OUC Orlando Half Marathon will be evaluated for a fifth time. We are proud of our status as Florida’s Only Sustainable Race and look forward to another recertification.
Making an Impact
Runners play an important role in our sustainability efforts by using Waste Diversion Stations to properly sort trash, recycling and compost.
We also:
- Reduce plastic waste by tapping directly into OUC hydrants along the course, eliminating the need for single-use plastic gallon jugs.
- Compost food waste through our partnership with O-Town Compost, turning food scraps into nutrient-rich compost.
- Recycle soft film plastics with Orange County Public Schools. Every 1,000 pounds recycled helps create a school bench for a local campus.
- Use compostable cups throughout OUC Orlando Half Marathon Weekend.
- Track Shack Events is also proud to be a member of Racing for Sustainability, a national effort helping race organizers make more responsible choices.
Together with OUC, our community partners and our runners, we’re continuing to make choices that reduce the environmental footprint of race weekend.
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. The OUC Orlando Half Marathon has received Silver and Gold certifications by the Council for Responsible Sport. It is the first event in Florida to earn any level certification by the Council, the world’s leading sustainability certification program dedicated to supporting, certifying, and celebrating responsible sports events and organizations. OrlandoHalfMarathon.com
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.