There's no better way to get into the holiday spirit than running the Mount Dora Half Marathon !!! This race goes all out with a Christmas theme including a giant Santa to greet the runners on the final stretch, a Christmas tree finish line, candy cane and nutcracker performers, and a snowman. The medal and swag are top notch - this year's theme was Rudolph the reindeer wearing a Covid mask. And my favorite takeways from the race are the super fun photo booth strips and the free finish line picture can double as your Happy Holidays Card. The course itself is on rolling hills lined with spectacular oak trees draped in Spanish moss.
And Mount Dora itself is an incredibly cute historic town in Central Florida not far from Orlando. There are many beautiful old buildings, main street and square all decked out in holiday lights. The town is full of cute eclectic stores and great restaurants. I stayed at the Lakeside Inn which is the oldest continuously operated hotel in Florida built in 1883. It is set on a lake with sunset views, and classic veranda lined with rocking chairs, and right at the start finish line.