Ocala’s inaugural “Workout with the Mayor” event planned for May

File photo: Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano, the owner of Zone Health and Fitness, at Zone Health and Fitness on South Pine Avenue in Ocala on Monday, July 12, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

Ocala’s mayor is celebrating his birthday in the best way he knows how—by getting citizens up and active to promote health and wellbeing.

Mayor Ben Marciano is launching a new program called “Workout with the Mayor” with its inaugural event taking place on May 4 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21^st Ave.

Citizens are also invited to join staff to celebrate the mayor’s birthday with refreshments at 9:50 a.m.

The event will feature special guest Clint Hart, a former safety for the San Diego Chargers and owner of Healthy Harts Fitness in Ocala. Activities will include youth fitness classes, meet the machines, smoothie bikes and giveaways, according to the city of Ocala.

The event is free and open to all.

The event will recur monthly, with future workout dates planned for June 1, July 6, Aug. 3, Sept. 7 and Oct. 5.

One of Marciano’s biggest priorities as mayor is to help improve the physical and mental health of the citizens of Ocala, he said in December shortly before being inaugurated.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that now I’m the mayor, having over 20 years of experience in the health club industry,” Marciano said. “Also, I’ve overcome a lot of mental and addiction over my life.”

Marciano’s efforts in prioritizing the health of Ocala’s citizens are in the hopes that Ocala will become “a city known for its health,” he said.