Operation OCALA 2025
Sat, Jan 18
|Ocala National Forest
65+ miles. 24 hours. The clock is ticking...
Time & Location
Jan 18, 2025, 4:00 PM – Jan 19, 2025, 5:00 PM
Ocala National Forest, Rodman Rd, Fort McCoy, FL 32134, USA
About the Event
Operation OCALA 2024
January 18-19, 2025 | Ocala National Forest, Florida, USA
Distance: 65 +/- miles
Weight: 25 lbs dry
Elevation: Minimal elevation gain
Brief Start Time: Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 1600 hrs (you will not be permitted to start if you miss the brief)
Event Start Time: Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 1700 hrs
Start Location: Florida Trail Rodman ATV Trailhead, Fort McCoy
Event Finish Time: Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 1700 hrs
Finish Location: Palermo Pizza and Italian Restaurant, Paisely
Situation
Operation OCALA is a grueling 65+ mile endurance challenge through the rugged terrain of Ocala National Forest. Candidates must carry a backpack weighing over 25 lbs, testing their mental and physical strength, navigation skills, and overall fitness. This event is designed to push individuals to their limits, demanding perseverance, resilience, and a deep well of determination to complete the journey. Operation OCALA follows the Florida Trail.
Mission
Candidates must carry 25 lbs (dry weight) and complete the 65 +/- mile route, including 5 checkpoints,following the Florida Trail, in under 24 hours to pass and earn the GBF Operation OCALA Dog Tag. The winner (Male and Female) will earn the elite Gold Dog Tag.
Execution
Candidates will meet at the Florida Trail Rodman ATV Trailhead.
At 1600 hours, GBF Staff will give an event brief before answering any questions and releasing the candidates to begin the route at 1700 hours. Anything you do not wish to carry should be left in your cars. Valuables should not be left in vehicles.
Candidates who voluntarily withdraw / quit are not guaranteed a ride back to the start point until after the end of the event. Plan accordingly (warm clothes etc).
There will be checkpoint locations every 15+/- miles with water and snacks (bananas, cookies etc). Candidates will be able to withdraw / quit at these checkpoints.
Candidates arriving at the finish (Palermo Pizza) in under 24 hours will earn the highly sought-after 'GBF Operation OCALA' dog tags. The first male and the first female will earn the Gold GBF Op OCALA Dog Tag.
Service Support
Mapping. GBF events use the AllTrails app for navigation. To download the route from AllTrails, you will need to sign up for a membership. GBF suggests candidates have a paper map, compass, and GPS too.
Route. Ensure you download the map for offline use. Cell service is not guaranteed. The route for Operation OCALA is here. This is only a ROUGH guide. You should follow the Orange Blazes on the trees and the Florida Trail using any means possible. You should also look at these resources: Florida Hikes and Florida Trail Association.
Weight. Candidates must carry a minimum of 25 lbs dry (i.e. without food and water) in a backpack. Weight vests or sandbags are not permitted.
Equipment
Mandatory Equipment
- Backpack (waterproof inner-bags)
- Hydration bladder(s) (minimum 1 gallon or 3 litres)
- Rations (food) minimum of 3 energy / candy bars
- $10 cash x 3
- Whistle
- Hi-visibility jacket
- Emergency shelter
- Head Torch (spare batteries)
- Spare Flashlight
- Fully charged mobile phone
- Charger for phone
- Chem-light/cyalume
- Personal First Aid Kit
Strongly Recommended
- GPS
- Compass
- MRE(s)
- Walking poles
- Water purification tablets
- Blister kit
- Bear spray
- Bear bell
- Bug spray
- Pocket knife
Dress. Candidates' dress will be a personal choice. Candidates are reminded this is a 24 hour event covering significant distance with temperatures between 24F and 94F during previous events. Changes of clothes and spare socks are recommended.
Support Crews. Support Crews are not allowed to offer any physical support. See Rules below. Support Crews are allowed to collect you if you quit. This is very strongly encouraged if you wish to be extracted early.
Parking. Candidates who wish to leave their cars are kindly requested to park at the start location (Rodman ATV Trailhead). Parking is done at the owner's risk. THIS photo advises you where to park.
Wildlife. Ocala National Forest is home to wonderful wildlife. Snakes, spiders, bears and much more call the National Forest home. Familiarise yourself with the following documents prior to arriving: Be Bear Aware and Florida Trail.
Checkpoints. There will be FIVE checkpoints on the route, roughly 15 miles apart. At each checkpoint you must punch your checkpoint card (issued at the start).
Every candidate MUST check in at every checkpoint, even if they don’t wish to stop there. If candidates are very far behind the time, they will be informed and advised to stop.
Op OCALA CP 1 (Unmanned)
Op OCALA CP 5 (Unmanned)
Water. There will be bottled water at the finish point. Candidates should carry enough water to get them between each checkpoint. The use of hydration bladders is encouraged. Water can be topped up at checkpoints.
Rations. Candidates should have a minimum of 3 energy bars and 0.5 liters of water as emergency rations.
Medical. Every candidate requires a personal medical kit. GBF Staff must be made aware of any medical conditions before starting the event.
Transportation. Transport to and from the event will be at the candidate's arrangement. Candidates are advised to be dropped off and picked up where possible for safety reasons. Transport for successful candidates, from the finish, back to the start, is included in the entry fee.
Command and Signal. GBF HQ: 941-993-9432
Rules.
1. Ruck Weight. Minimum of 25 lbs at all times.
2. Weight Type. The weight cannot be rocks or anything that can be disposed of and then collected later in the trail (stones etc).
3. Assistance. This is a solo, self-sufficient event. Drop bags or any other assistance is not permitted. You must carry what you require for the duration of the event. Moral support at checkpoints is permitted. Only candidates undertaking Operation OCALA are permitted on the trail. If candidates receive outside assistance (food, liquids, clothes etc) that is not from GBF HQ, they will fail. Carry what you require.
4. Route Distance. Those earning the Dog Tag must prove their route and distance (65+ miles) using GPS (watch, phone, etc).
5. Route Selection. Candidates must follow the Florida Trail and avoid using roads unless they are withdrawing and/or are in an emergency.
6. Checkpoints. Candidates MUST visit all FIVE Operation OCALA checkpoints.
7. Transport. No transportation is allowed to help you gain the advantage.
Additional Information. The following documents may be useful:
- Be Bear Aware - information about bears and storing, disposing of, and carrying food in Ocala National Forest.
- Florida Trail - informative PDF about the whole Florida Trail including a map (Ground in General).
- Forest Service Interactive Map - find Ocala National Forest and the red/white line heading north to south is the Florida Trail.
- Forest Service Map PDF Download - you can download these maps in PDF to produce a mapbook.
- Staying Safe Around Bears - What Should I Do if I See a Bear?
The Fine Print
Numbers. Maximum number of candidates 25. Minimum number of candidates 80.
Refunds. Refunds will be in the form of a GBF voucher to use towards future events. Refunds must be requested 30 days before the event start date.
Event Changes. Slight changes to any event including, but not limited to route changes, brief times, start locations, and other details are under the discretion of GBF Staff.
Tickets
Operation OCALA 2025
$249.00Tax: +$17.43 TaxOCALA 2025 Volunteer
By agreeing to volunteer for Operation OCALA we will provide you with Born Primitive Tactical gift cards. Born Primitive Tactical are the sponsor of this event.
$0.00
Total
$0.00