An 80-year-old recently became the oldest woman to cross the finish line at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. Natalie Grabow completed the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycle, and 26.2-mile run in just under 17 hours.
That got us thinking, how would we create a course in Orlando?
Swim | Three laps around Lake Eola would be perfect for the swim. A double-, triple-, and quadruple-check for gators beforehand wouldn’t go amiss.
Bike | We planned out a route on Google Maps for this one. Starting at Lake Eola, a journey east out to the Brevard County waterfront, and back through Osceola County’s rural farmland would provide a multifaceted look at Florida’s range of landscapes.
Run | That ride lands us right among the theme parks, meaning we can just copy the exact route used at the Walt Disney World Marathon for the final running segment.
Let us know if you have any other suggestions. Maybe O-Town will host the event one day.
Events
Events
Monday, Oct. 27
Sunlight Yoga | 6 p.m. | Lake Nona Town Center | Free
The mystery surrounding the jewelry heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris continues to pique interest across the globe. Who did it? What will they do with the priceless objects? Maybe they’ll sell them to buy this outrageous Lake Pickett home that just hit the market. (NBC)
Seasonal
Gather ‘round the campfire. As Halloween creeps closer, it’s the perfect time to read Florida’s creepiest urban legend. It’s the tale of the Spook Hill’s gravity-defying antics. Don’t scare easily? Head to one of Orlando’s scariest ghost tours. (Business Insider)
Arts
Swifties are flocking to see Ophelia. Friedrich Heyser’s artistic depiction of Shakespeare’s tragic character is helping fill the halls of Germany’s Museum Wiesbaden thanks to Swift’s recent popular single, “The Fate of Ophelia.” If you want to see Shakespeare come to life in O-Town, keep your eye on Orlando Shakes’ schedule. (The Guardian)
Sports
The New York Times just released a list of the 25 best college football stadiums... and the Acrisure Bounce House isn’t on it. Do you think it should have made the list? Let us know by replying to this newsletter. (The New York Times)
Travel
Did you know ORLtoday has dozens of sister newsletters across the US? Each one delivers local news, restaurant picks, and hidden gems just like we do. Next time you’re headed out of town, find your destination’s newsletter and explore our recs to plan your trip.
Real Estate
Home shopping this holiday season? These 17 move-in-ready neighborhoods around ORL offer lakeside living, luxe amenities, and even dream designs near Disney. See all 17.*
A new academic study shows signs that consuming warm liquids may have positive impacts on physical + mental health. Researchers found correlated improvements in sleep, gut health, depression, and anxiety.
Combine that with Orlando’s recent ranking as the No. 2 best coffee city in the US, and you’ve got the perfect excuse for a cup of joe. Here are a few of our local faves:
Haan Coffee
A classy + serene ambiance awaits in this Mills 50 haven, where beans are roasted twice per week. The seasonal menus are alwaysfull of creative sips delivered by self-described coffee lovers.
Deli Desires
Online ordering and takeaway-only makes Deli Desires the ultimate go-to to-go coffee stop. And they’ve got your lunch break sorted, with hearty sandwiches and bialys on the menu, too.
Holy Grain Coffee Shop
Fresh sandwiches and gourmet salads are both up for grabs at Holy Grain. We recommend ordering a unique Brazilian cappuccino to sip alongside your meal.
A set of hydrating, plumping lip oils perfect for winter — and a fuller pout. Read The Buy Editor Sarah’s full review of tarte’s Maracuja Juicy Plumping Lip Oil Set and why she’ll be wearing them all season long (hint: it’s to heal chapped lips).
Bonus: Use code WELCOME2025 to save $15 on your first HSN order of $35+ and snag the lip set for yourself.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
