HITS--Ocala

I'm in for the Half as well. Should be fun! It's nice to have some more local choices for racing.

Steve

I was signed up for Oly last year and had to defer due to running injury. So now I am signed up for Oly again this year. Due to another injury, l will be doing aquabike. Frustrating. But glad more races are offering aquabike option for us older runners. I love running much more that swimming and biking combined.  But running does take a toll on the body.

BTW, l turn 50 this year.

Since you are local... any suggestions for good places to eat on Friday night? I'm coming up/over from Spring Hill with my husband and son. 

We have most of the typical corporate places to eat.  If you are into some good sandwiches and the like there's a place called the Mojo Grill, which is near down town.  Pretty good food, on Friday they will most likely have a band.  The place is blues themed so the music usually matches.  Downtown is my favorite place to go.  I'd suggest Harry's.  Pretty good food and it's on the square so you can hit either the starbucks or the Ocala Chocolate factory.  Both are about a block away from Harry's front door.  If you're looking for something near the race site I'd suggest Gator Joe's.  It's on Lake Weir and is less than a 10min drive away from Carney Island.  It's mostly sandwich food, but it's right on the water and the sunsets are great.  Might be little crowded on Friday night.  I know they have bands regularly, but I don't know what they do on Fridays.  You can eat inside or out on the deck (my suggestion).

Hope this helped. 

Awesome! Thanks so much for the ideas.

We just made reservations at a Hilton. When my husband called, they said they were completely booked, until he asked if there were a block of rooms reserved for event participants. 

Yeah I just got the same thing from the Homewood Suites (I think that's what it's called-the host hotel) Any ideas how far from Lake Weir that is?

The hotel is in the SW area of the City and the race site is way SE of town.  I've never actually driven from that part of town all the way to Lake Weir, but I would give probably 45 min to get there.  It will probably take you less than that.  You'll practically drive past my house on your way and I used to be assigned to the fire station down the road from the hotel.  I'd guess around 35min, but give 45.  There is a new cut through road that may not be on the maps that may shorten that time a little.

It's a bit of a hike, but that's because Lake Weir is in a very rural area and there just isn't a hotel really close by.  The Homewood has been built around 5 years ago and it looks nice.  It's on 200, which is one of the main roads in town and it has all the restaurants you know and love on it.  It's also down the road from a few shopping centers.  Not a bad place to stay, just on the other side of town.  Honestly, a good pick.  It's maybe a mile from I-75 so if that's one of your route choices, the interstate will put you almost right on top of the hotel.  There's another Hilton right at the interstate, but that's not the homewood.  The homewood is further west on 200.  If you are staying at the other Hilton, it's right at the interstate (you can see it from 75).

Shoot me anything else you want to know and I'll do my best to help.  I may need the same when running up to Jax

Hello everyone, I am just recently new to this site, I was inquiring about work, and if anyone in the ocala area is looking for someone to work ( paid position pref.) at any equestrian facility. I am right now in deland, and the farm that I am working at now does not have enough work for me ( only about 5 horses i take care of) and the person I am living with, well were not really getting along. I am on a dash to try and find somewhere to move to, ( by march 1st or sooner! I know its abrupt but there is a lot of stuff going on in both places and I am trying to get out asap). Either that or I have to return back home to freezing maine, and nothing really for me there which is why I came down here. I also do have a horse, that I would need a stall for as well... If anyone is looking PLEASE contact me ASAP or of anyone close to that area it is a serious matter, I do have a resume of places I have worked, I have worked around horses for 19 years ( currently 22, 23 in may) I ride dressage and jumpers, I know how to clean stalls, hay, change blankets, water, clean paddocks, hold for vet or blacksmith, I am really a diligent worker, if you tell me what to do and what needs to be done I am really good about getting every thing done on time, I also know how to tack up, groom horses, could travel to shows as well to be a groom for the day... Any questions please contact me at

[email protected]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!

Fokker416 thanks for all the info. Feel free to shoot any questions about North Jax my way : ) I plan on coming down to catch some of the HIM finishers and most of the full distance finishers Sat afternoon (work depending) 2 days out from my marathon and I wish I would have signed up for the HIM instead of the OLY as I feel pretty recovered. Pretty fun series put on by DRCsports during the summer up here. PM if you're interested in competing I can help out with hotel accommodations in the area.

which is closer, Hampton, or Homewood Suites? We like to stay in a Hilton, but Hampton looks closer.

Moot point.. Hampton is sold out.