The Tick Tock Ultra returns to Lakeland, Florida on September 26th, offering a unique challenge for endurance runners around scenic Lake Hollingsworth. This event is not just another race; it's an immersive experience that tests your limits over 12 hours and even in a compressed six-hour format. Participants gather at the picturesque lake early morning to embark on multiple laps of their choosing, each lap being precisely 2.84 miles long.
Race day begins promptly at 7:00 am when runners start their journey along Lake Hollingsworth's paved walkway. The setting is serene yet energetic as participants circle the beautiful body of water, challenging themselves in a non-stop loop format that keeps spirits high despite the physical demands. Runners can expect clear visibility and steady conditions throughout their efforts.
The Tick Tock Ultra has been running since 2014, quickly becoming a tradition for endurance athletes who seek both personal challenges and community camaraderie. Each year sees around two hundred entrants pushing themselves to achieve remarkable distances; in the most recent race, Katalin Nagy completed an impressive seventy-nine point five-two miles over twelve hours, setting a new female record. The event supports local runners while also raising funds for the Pheel Good Foundation, ensuring that every step contributes positively beyond just personal achievement.
The course of the Tick Tock Ultra winds around Lake Hollingsworth on its paved pathway, offering consistent terrain with minimal elevation changes and no significant obstacles to navigate during your laps. Aid stations are strategically placed along key points, providing essential hydration and nutrition as you progress through the day.
Typically, race morning in Lakeland sees temperatures hovering around 26 degrees Celsius at the start time of seven o'clock am, often feeling slightly cooler due to moderate humidity levels and winds averaging eight point four kilometers per hour from an easterly direction. By midday, conditions may warm up with potential for light precipitation given historical rainfall averages. Runners should prepare for a range of temperatures between twenty-two point five degrees Celsius at the low end and thirty-one degrees Celsius at its peak.
The Tick Tock Ultra offers runners two primary formats: a twelve-hour solo challenge costing one hundred and twenty-five dollars, or a six-person relay team option priced at five hundred dollars. Both categories provide ample opportunity to test endurance limits while enjoying support from fellow participants throughout the day.
12HR
12 Hours • Start: 07:00:00 • Fee: $125.00
12HR 5 Person Relay
12 Hours • Start: 07:00:00 • Fee: $500.00
6HR
6 Hours • Start: 07:00:00 • Fee: $100.00
To secure your spot in this year’s Tick Tock Ultra, visit https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=131942 and complete registration by September 1st for guaranteed shirt sizes and printed bibs. Bib pickup will be available on race morning from seven until eight thirty am at Lake Hollingsworth Park near the starting line; all participants must bring a photo ID to collect their items.
Starting location is precisely marked at 929 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, Florida. Age requirements are open but realistically cater towards mature athletes capable of handling extended periods of physical activity without significant breaks or rest stops. Newcomers should ensure they arrive hydrated and equipped with appropriate gear for both warm weather and potential rain showers.
The Tick Tock Ultra in Lakeland, on September 26th, remains a testament to the spirit of endurance running in the heart of Florida’s serene landscapes. Whether you're there solo or as part of a team, this event offers a rare chance to challenge yourself within one of America's most scenic and supportive race environments.
