Orlando, FL – Orlando will soon welcome the nation’s elite male and female long-distance runners to compete at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon for the chance to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The City of Orlando, in collaboration with Orange County, Track Shack Events, the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, Visit Orlando, USA Track & Field and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, will host America’s best male and female runners for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 10am EST. The course runs through downtown Orlando and its surrounding neighborhoods and consists of one 2.2-mile loop and three 8-mile loops. The race will be televised on NBC and Peacock.
Orlando is proud to be the first city in Florida to host the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon. With a welcoming and diverse community, favorable weather and a flat and fast course, downtown Orlando is an ideal site for athletes to compete at their highest levels. Orlando will be abuzz with energy, cheering on these remarkable athletes as they chase their dreams and strive for a coveted spot on Team USA.
“We are thrilled to once again host another marquee event that puts our community on the national stage. The US Olympic Team Trials – Marathon not only showcases our status as the country’s top sports destination, but also creates an exciting opportunity to bring our residents together to cheer on our nation and support our top US athletes,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “Next month, we look forward to welcoming all the athletes, their families and friends, all the spectators and for the opportunity to highlight Orlando’s vibrant, inclusive and diverse community.”
At a press conference on Thursday, the Greater Orlando Sports Commission thanked many local organizations who are supporting the trials, and shared several updates on how fans can watch the race. The local organizing committee is encouraging fans to gather at several downtown locations for a great view of the race including:
- The Start Line on Rosalind Avenue near Amelia Street,
- The Finish Line on Rosalind Avenue near Washington Street at Lake Eola,
- Seneff Arts Plaza at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts,
- and City Hall Plaza on Orange Avenue.
Fans are encouraged to visit Orlando2024Trials.com for the most up-to-date information available and to access the spectator viewing map.
“We are beyond delighted with how our collaborative community has enthusiastically come together to prepare for this world-class Olympic event, and very thankful for all of our regional stakeholders, vendors and supporters who have invested their time and talent,” said Jason Siegel, President & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “Our community is extremely confident that we will deliver an ‘unbelievably real,’ once in a lifetime experience for these elite athletes and their families.”
Additionally, Track Shack shared that 1,500 volunteers are trained and ready to welcome the athletes and visitors for the event. Track Shack also noted that during a test event held in December, many athletes commented positively on the fast, flat and fan-friendly nature of the race course.
“In three short weeks America’s top long-distance runners will be in Orlando showcasing their incredible talent, hard work and dedication to fulfill their Olympic dream, “said Jon Hughes, Race Director. “Central Floridians and our Track Shack team are excited and ready to host this prestigious, Olympic qualifying event.”
“I can’t tell you how much this means to the athletes. Collectively we are so appreciative of the investment made by the City of Orlando, Orange County, Visit Orlando and the leadership team from the Local Organizing Committee led by the Greater Orlando Sports Commission and my good friends at Track Shack,” said Keith Brantly, 1996 Olympian and life-long distance runner. “I can’t wait for the residents of Orlando to experience this once in a lifetime event.”
Lasty at the press conference today, the City of Orlando provided information related to the event that may impact traffic patterns, pedestrian movement, detours and parking.
“In our planning efforts, our main goal was to try to ensure these impacts are as minimal as possible,” said City of Orlando Transportation Department Special Events Division Manager Jim Young. “Additionally, we will be present and on the ground during the event to monitor it and make any needed adjustments.”
Young explained that in addition to personalized mailings sent to all impacted locations along the route, the city and its event partners have also established a website, and a dedicated email and hotline so that residents and businesses can access impacts specific to their location and contact the event producers and city directly with any questions as it relates to transportation plans for the event. This access is available now and leading up to the event.
- Website – Orlando.gov/olympicroadclosures
- Email – hello@orlando2024trials.com
- Hotline – 407-385-1511
On the day of the event, the community can call the city’s Emergency Information Center at 321-235-5438 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. with questions or concerns regarding the race.
At the press conference, Young also went into more specifics on how the road closures are being managed to reduce impacts, including how the city divided up the course map (link to course map) into 10 specific zones and three different levels relative to the location of residences or businesses along the impacted roadways. Zones refer specifically to the location along the route (link to zone map) and levels indicate the resident or business’ vehicular access to that address. Levels are as follows:
- Level 1 Designation: The business or residence is along the marathon route and road closures will restrict all vehicular access to the location during designated event hours.
- Level 2 Designation: The business or residence is along the marathon route and at least one of the vehicular access points to the location will be affected by road closures. However, vehicles will be able to access the business or residence through an access point not along the route.
- Level 3 Designation: There may be delays and detours impacting vehicular access to the location, however, vehicular, and pedestrian access to the location during the event will be maintained.
Concluding the press conference, Young also highlighted information about alternative parking locations for residents and businesses along the route that will be impacted by the closures and designated pedestrian access points on the course that will be available for pedestrian traffic during the race.
More detailed information on road closures (link to road closure map), parking and pedestrian access can be found at Orlando.gov/olympicroadclosures.
About the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon
Orlando is the first Florida city to be awarded the event. The City of Orlando, in partnership with Orange County, Track Shack Events, and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission will host the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials -Marathon on Saturday, February 3, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. The local organizing committee and community, in collaboration with USA Track & Field (USAFT) and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), will deliver a world-class event and world-class experience for the athletes, partners, and running enthusiasts visiting the City Beautiful from around the globe.
