Vero Beach Octopus Ultra

About the Event

The Vero Beach Octopus Ultra returns to the sun-drenched shores of Vero Beach, Florida on July 11th through July 12th in 2026, promising a unique and challenging experience for ultra runners from across the country. This event is more than just another race; it's an adventure through eight distinct octopus arms that wind their way around scenic trails and landscapes near Vero Beach.
The Environmental Learning Center (ELC) grounds serve as the central hub where participants can regroup, refuel, and strategize between legs of this extraordinary journey. The atmosphere on race day is one of anticipation mixed with a palpable sense of camaraderie among runners who have gathered to test their limits in South Florida's intense summer conditions. As dawn breaks over Vero Beach on Saturday morning, the air carries whispers of humidity and heat that challenge even seasoned athletes.
Since its inception during the tumultuous year of 2020, The Octopus Ultra has grown from a grassroots endeavor into an established part of the ultra-running calendar in Florida. Each iteration sees more runners tackling various distances ranging from the Mini-Ultra to the full marathon-length Octo-Arms and beyond, culminating in the prestigious 100 miler that earns participants the coveted Octopus Buckle after completing all eight legs within a strict yet flexible time limit of thirty-two hours. The race raises awareness for environmental conservation efforts through its partnership with ELC, inspiring runners to push their boundaries while giving back to nature.
The Vero Beach Octopus Ultra unfolds along meticulously plotted trails that traverse diverse terrains and landmarks around the city's environs. Each arm presents unique challenges such as steep climbs in "Jumanji" or relentless heat during "Blair Beach Project." The course layout ensures runners experience a blend of natural beauty, technical difficulty, and scenic variety throughout their journey.
Runners should expect humid conditions with average temperatures hovering around 28°C (feels like) on race day. South Florida's summer sun will be intense, reaching UV index levels classified as 'Very High.' With an average wind speed at a brisk but manageable 8.6 km/h, the trail surface remains hard and dry despite occasional rainfall totaling approximately 5mm over the course of each leg.

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for July in Vero Beach.

thermostat Temperature

24.5° / 31.5°

wb_sunny Feels like

28.5° / 35.6°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

11h 24m

water_drop Avg rainfall

5.4 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

8.6 km/h (Light breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

Very high

terrain Course conditions

Hard and dry surface

sunny Max UV Index

Very High (9.6)

humidity_mid Humidity

81.4%

wb_twilight Sunrise

06:36

nightlight Sunset

20:17

About Vero Beach

Learn more about the host city, Vero Beach.

Vero Beach is a city of 18,000 people (2019) on the Treasure Coast in Florida. It has three beaches, and the Indian River Lagoon, passing through Vero Beach, is a hub for boating, fishing, water skiing, diving, kayaking and other small-craft waterborne activities.

Hotels & Places to Stay

Race Results

All-time top performances and historical records for Vero Beach Octopus Ultra.

Place	Name	Gender	Age	Year	City	Time
🥇	Michel Musso	M	33	'25	—	20:08:08
🥈	Alvaro Nunez Alfaro	M	30	'24	—	20:59:06
🥉	Mitchell Backer	M	24	'25	—	22:06:47
4	Bryan Rodriguez	M	29	'24	—	22:14:15
5	Lucas Vidal	M	38	'24	—	22:21:30
6	Michel Musso	M	32	'24	—	22:46:38
7	Luis Cocco	M	40	'21	—	22:47:48
8	Luis Cocco	M	41	'22	—	23:32:52
9	Jordon Englund	M	29	'25	—	23:36:03
10	Ben Diaz	M	42	'22	—	24:06:35

Place	Name	Gender	Age	Year	City	Time
🥇	Renee Bortels	F	38	'21	—	22:59:51
🥈	Kailynn Violette	F	25	'21	—	26:15:48
🥉	Keiko Schwamlein	F	52	'22	—	31:18:06
4	April Mandese	F	44	'21	—	35:05:55
5	Maria Paredes	F	47	'21	—	24:37:06
6	Cari Cline	F	37	'25	—	29:31:12
7	Amanda Guevara	F	38	'25	—	30:56:03
8	Melinda Smith	F	39	'25	—	31:55:58