OCALA 69 2027

$299 for Runner, Light and Heavy. This is the final price.

Date: Saturday, January 16 to Sunday, January 17, 2027

Location: Ocala National Forest, Florida

Distance: 69 miles (+/-)

Elevation Gain: 1,709 ft

Categories: Runner | Light 10 lbs | Heavy 25 lbs

MISSION

69 miles (+/-) on the Florida Trail, point to point, with about 1,709 ft of elevation gain. Choose Runner with no required weight, Light with 10 lbs dry or Heavy with 25 lbs dry. Same route, same clock.

Standard: Finish in under 24 hours from step-off (about 20:52 per mile) for an official OCALA 69 finish and the OCALA 69 Dog Tag.

GPS: Record and prove at least 65 miles to earn the Dog Tag.

AWARDS

OCALA 69 Dog Tag: Finish in under 24 hours.

Gold Dog Tag: The male and female Heavy winners.

Winner Dog Tag: The male and female Runner and Light winners.

All winner awards require a finish inside the Dog Tag time.

69 Series: OCALA 69 is one of three 69 Series events. Pass all three within 12 months for the 69 Series patch. Earn all three Dog Tags for the patch and the hoodie, which is never sold.

EXECUTION

Brief: 1600, Saturday, January 16, at Florida Trail Rodman ATV Trailhead. Mandatory. No late starts.

Step off: 1700 sharp.

Start: Florida Trail Rodman ATV Trailhead.

Finish: Palermo Pizza & Italian Restaurant, Paisley.

Cut-off: 1700, Sunday, January 17.

Route: Point to point. Every mile takes you farther from the start and closer to the finish.

Navigation: Download the AllTrails route for offline use. Follow the Florida Trail's orange blazes.

Checkpoints: Five mandatory checkpoints about every 15 miles. Punch card issued at the start. Water and basic snacks at supported checkpoints.

• OCALA 69 CP 1 (unmanned)

• OCALA 69 CP 2

• OCALA 69 CP 3

• OCALA 69 CP 4

• OCALA 69 CP 5 (unmanned)

SITUATION

Ocala National Forest, Florida: 69 miles of sand, swamp, pine scrub and darkness. You start just before sunset and follow the orange blazes of the Florida Trail through the night and into the next day.

This is the original OCALA 69. The elevation is low and the miles are hard: deep sand, endless forest tracks, changing temperatures and mile after mile of forward movement.

PREPARE

Work out the pace you need against the pass and Dog Tag times with the Pace Planner. Prepare covers dry weight, ways to make ruck weight and downloading AllTrails routes.

EQUIPMENT

Load: Runner carries no required weight. Light carries 10 lbs dry and Heavy 25 lbs dry, in a ruck. No weighted vests or sandbags.

Water: Carry enough between checkpoints. Bottled water at supported checkpoints and the finish. Hydration bladders encouraged.

Rations: Minimum 3 bars and 0.5 L water as an emergency reserve. Carry enough nutrition for up to 24 hours.

Medical: Personal kit required. Disclose medical conditions to GBF staff before the start. Medical checks may take place at checkpoints.

Withdrawal: You may need to wait at a checkpoint until transport is available. Personal support crews may collect withdrawn candidates and are strongly encouraged for faster extraction.

Kit list: Standard GBF kit. See the GBF Standard Equipment List (PDF).

Additional kit: Hi-vis jacket, spare flashlight and $30 cash (3 x $10 bills).

SAFETY AND RULES

Conditions: Prepare for extremes. Past OCALA events have run between 24°F and 94°F.

Wildlife: Ocala National Forest is home to snakes, spiders and black bears. Review Be Bear Aware and Staying Safe Around Bears before the event.

Navigation: Have the AllTrails route downloaded and available offline before you start. The Florida Trail Association and Florida Hikes are useful extra resources.

• Required Light and Heavy weight is carried dry at all times.

• Weight cannot be disposable items such as water, food, stones or anything meant to be used or discarded.

• Candidates are solo and self-sufficient. No drop bags or outside assistance. Only GBF support is permitted while on course.

• Record and prove at least 65 miles by GPS to earn the OCALA 69 Dog Tag.

• Follow the Florida Trail. Roads only during withdrawal or in an emergency.

• All five checkpoints are mandatory.

• No vehicle or other transport may be used to gain an advantage.

• Finish within 24 hours to record an official OCALA 69 completion.

ADMIN

Cancellations: GBF voucher only. Request it 60 or more days before the event. Vouchers are valid for one year.

Event changes: Route and timing remain at staff discretion.

Contact: info@GreenBeretFitness.com

TICKETS

Runner, Light and Heavy: $299 (final price)

Volunteer: $0

NEXT ON THE PATH

Complete the 69 Series within 12 months: OCOLO 69 2027, three loops in the Colorado high country on July 24–25, and OCALI 69 2027, out and back above Malibu on November 12–14.