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The ORC was founded in 1976 at a front porch gathering of running friends. Some of those original members were Jon Hughes (owner of Track Shack, producer of most Central Florida races and race director of the Disney Marathon), attorney Richard Bates, Tracy Dent, Terry Smith and Dana Flugel.

Shortly after the founding of the club, an 11 mile running route was measured out starting at the park in Winter Park, and that course has hosted club members (as well as non-members) every Sunday for nearly 30 years.

For many years the club was the main local source for running information including race calendars, race results and training tips, although the advent of the Internet has made those functions less important.  The club also organized club races and produced other races for charitable groups before any "professional" race organizers (such as Track Shack's EMMI) appeared in the area.

Many people turned to the ORC to find training partners, and this is still a main purpose of the club.  Numerous long-term running groups and several marriages resulted over the years.

The ORC has started or supported many programs to promote the healthy running lifestyle, including the Middle School Mile and Kids on the Run.

The club established the Charles M. Rowson Memorial Scholarship program, which now gives four cash awards each year to outstanding local scholar/runners to aid them in starting their college careers.

As part of Orlando's Sister City program with the city of Urayasu, Japan, the club selects four runners each year to participate in the Tokyo Bay Half Marathon.  These runners spend several days touring historical and educational sites, having tea with the mayor and are honored guests at the race itself and at the annual Urayasu Runners Club banquet.  Two of the nights are spent at the home of a Japanese family to promote cultural exchange and friendship with our sister club.  In return, four runners from Japan are similarly hosted here by the ORC in December for the OUC Half Marathon, and they are the honored guests at the club's annual Christmas party.

The club has affected and continues to affect the lives of thousands of runners in Central Florida with volunteer work, children's programs, social gatherings and group runs.

If you have more details on the ORC club history to share, please email the webmaster.