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OUC Orlando Half- 40 Years of Why 

By Gary Kane
Winter Park CPA, 50-year Gator Fan,  40-year OUC Orlando Half Marathon Veteran

As the 40th running of the OUC Half approaches, it’s hard to believe that I have run this race every year for 39 years.  In 1977, my dear friend Meredith Cohen, who is now 88 years old, goaded me into running and then he bet me that I couldn’t run 13 miles.  I can still remember the feeling that I had when I rounded the corner at Orange Avenue and saw the finish line.  It was part exhilaration and part total exhaustion.   In the last 39 years, I have run races from the mile to the marathon but nothing comes close to the feeling I have about this race and the wonderful people associated with it.  I am looking forward to the next 40 years.

So I have a bit of advice for anyone who wants to begin a streak.  First, you need to find an inaugural race.  Next it has to be organized by a reputable race director and crew so that your streak will last more than one year.  Third, you have to have an understanding spouse who doesn’t mind your annual date with the race.  Finally, being compulsive is a must.  I have been fortunate to have three of the four.  P.S. don’t show this to my wife.



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