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17th Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Entertains Record-Sized Field of Runners
Adriano Bastos Strives for His Sixth Straight Marathon Victory
From Running USA
January 7, 2010
Lake Buena Vista, FL
Photo by www.photorun.net: Adriano Bastos celebrated another men's title at the 2009 Walt Disney World Marathon.
More than 55,500 runners--Disney's largest marathon weekend field ever--are registered for the 17th Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA on Thrusday-Sunday, January 7-10. This year's capacity field tops last year's record by 10,500 registered participants and aims to place the marathon weekend among the top combination race weekends in the country.
In 2009, the Walt Disney World Marathon was the sixth largest in the nation, and the second largest marathon/half-marathon combination event. The main event--Sunday's 26.2-mile journey through Disney's four major theme parks--starts at 5:40am near the Epcot Disney theme park in Lake Buena Vista.
Runners can look choose VIP treatment as "More Magic" options have been added to the race weekend schedule. A pre-race pasta party, and a post-race private celebration are ticketed events available to those in attendance. On Thursday, January 7, the Pasta in the Park Party at Epcot will give runners, their friends, and family a chance to "carbo load" before the race, and view "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth," a nighttime fireworks display. After the marathon on Sunday, Disney's Hollywood Studios hosts a private Victory Lap Celebration with rides at select attractions, and relaxation with a live DJ and Disney characters.
The VIP Race Retreat package is available again this year: it offers special race-day upgrades for participants and their friends and family, such as exclusive meet and greets with Disney characters and pre-registration for next year's marathon.
"Our 'More Magic' features are all about giving the guest VIP treatment," said Disney Sports Area Manager Kathleen Duran. "Starting and ending the weekend with exclusive events inside the Disney theme parks is a great way for our runners to share the race experience with their friends and family."
Brazil's Adriano Bastos returns to chase his sixth straight Disney Marathon victory in the men's race, and seventh overall title. He won his first marathon in 2003, and has won five in a row since 2005. Last year he crossed the finish line in 2:20:38--roughly seven minutes ahead of the runner-up, and 20 seconds faster than his finishing time in 2008.
In addition to Sunday's 26.2-mile marathon, the weekend features a half-marathon on Saturday. The whole family can participate in events such as the Disney-Pixar Up & Away Family Fun Run 5K on Friday, as well as Disney's Kids' Races on Friday and Saturday. The Kids' Races will include a diaper dash, 100-yard, 200yd and 400yd fun runs, and the timed Mickey Mile.
There's also Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge, which gives participants the opportunity to run both the half-marathon on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday. Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge celebrates its fifth anniversary with 7,500 registrants; 193 of those runners are "Perfectly Goofy" by having raced in all five Goofy Challenges. The "Perfectly Goofy" athletes will receive special recognition throughout the weekend.
The Disney Marathon Weekend also features a Health and Fitness Expo from January 7-9 at the soon-to-be-reimagined ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The expo is free, and features celebrity runner appearances, the opportunity to test the latest in running and fitness equipment, and a series of seminars on training, racing and nutrition.
For more information, or to register for the 2011 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (January 6-9), see www.disneyworldmarathon.com.