Orlando, August 25, 2023 - Track Shack and WESH 2 have created a partnership promoting the health benefits of running and walking in one of Orlando’s most established events, the 47th OUC Orlando Half Marathon presented by Land Rover Orlando. Over 4000 participants will line up on Saturday, December 2 starting and finishing at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando.

Partnership details include the first-ever live broadcast of the Orlando Half Marathon on WESH 2 highlighting the excitement of Orlando as a running destination. In addition, WESH 2 News will take viewers on a runner’s journey, providing training tips, nutrition, and inspirational stories to help them achieve their goal in completing the 13.1-mile distance event.

Providing a truly unique experience, Central Florida is invited to “Train with Track Shack” and “Run with WESH 2” as anchors Sheldon Dutes, Michelle Imperato and Stewart Moore lace up to run the OUC Orlando Half Marathon presented by Land Rover Orlando. During a 13-week training program, viewers can train along with the WESH 2 News team at various running group events and on social media as they follow Track Shack’s self-guided half marathon training program. Then on December 2, viewers who’ve signed up for the race can join the team in running the half marathon or follow their progress on TV as they broadcast while they run the course.

“We are beyond excited to have the OUC Orlando Half Marathon presented by Land Rover Orlando televised live on WESH 2 December 2,” said Jon Hughes, Race Director and co-owner of Track Shack.  “This puts the OUC Orlando Half Marathon in the elite status of other premier running events in major markets such as Chicago, Boston, and New York City.”

“WESH 2 is honored to be the first television station to broadcast this race.” said John Soapes, President and General Manager of WESH 2. “The OUC Orlando Half Marathon presented by Land Rover Orlando is a beloved event that showcases what makes Central Florida such a fantastic place to live, work and play. Our partnership with Track Shack is another example of WESH 2’s community commitment.” 

Live Coverage of the OUC Orlando Half Marathon presented by Land Rover Orlando will begin on WESH 2 News Sunrise Saturday, December 2 at 5am. The dedicated race broadcast begins at 7am, running through 10am.

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. 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.

WESH 2 is a digital multi-media company providing news, weather, sports, community service and entertainment on multiple platforms serving Central Florida.  WESH 2 produces 63 hours of local news per week in Central Florida, including 22 hours on sister-station CW18.  WESH 2 has been honored with numerous prestigious broadcast journalism awards including: a DuPont, Peabody, Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Political Journalism and the RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award and Regional Emmy Award for Overall Excellence.  WESH 2 is owned by Hearst Television, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst, a leading media company whose global holdings include 33 television stations and two radio stations.  Follow WESH 2 on Facebook (wesh2news) and Twitter (@WESH).  WESH 2’s website is www.wesh.com.