27,000 Runners Get Goofy During Disney’s 20th Anniversary Marathon Weekend

runDisney is my favorite producer of races. It’s inspired hundreds of thousands of folks who would never in a million years consider running down the block … to run distances between three and 39.3 miles. The ability for runDisney to combine athleticism, entertainment, inspiration and healthy family fun is nothing short of magical. The weekend of January 12th, Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida played host to 27,000 runners. 27,000! My favorite part of Disney races is that most of the participants do not look like runners. They look like every neighbor on your block, every employee at your grocery store and every kid you’ve ever played with. These races are designed with a “y’all come” and “y’all succeed” attitude. Everyone finds their place.

Some of the Marathon Weekends’ race highlights include:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michigan runners owned the Half Marathon: Mike Morgan and Melissa White blazed around Walt Disney World on Saturday – Morgan even set a race record – en route to sweeping the Disney Half Marathon titles.

10,000 runners got Goofy: More than 10,000 runners from the half marathon field went back to Disney on Sunday for the 20^th anniversary of the Disney Marathon presented by Cigna as part of Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge – running the half and the full marathon on consecutive days (39.3 miles). The 26.2-mile race through all four Disney theme parks drew unprecedented interest this year, selling out less than five months after registration began, marking one of the fastest sellouts in the event’s history.

Knuckle Biter Marathon Win: Perhaps it was fitting that at the 20^th annual Walt Disney World Marathon the greatest champion in the event’s history – Brazil’s Adriano Bastos – reclaimed his place in the victory circle Sunday. Bastos, who had won seven previous Disney Marathons, including six straight before losing the last two to countryman Fredison Costa, this time held off Costa down the stretch for his eighth victory at the place Where Dreams Come True.

Bastos, 34, lost to Costa, 35, at the 2011 Disney Marathon after getting ill the night before the race, then was edged by him again last year, finishing just 14 seconds behind. Bastos, who trains with Costa, said the two-year drought was extra motivation coming into this year’s race, especially given that it was the 20^th annual event. Renee High of Virginia Beach, Va., claimed her second consecutive Walt Disney World Marathon women’s title in 2:48:30.

5 Achilles Kids, sponsored by Cigna, completed the 5K: Presenting sponsor, Cigna, invested in the lives of five children with health challenges from “Achilles Kids” to train and treat to this years Family 5K. Amazing.

Fitzness Friends and Family rocked the Disney Marathon Weekend as well!

Fitz’s cousin, John Hughes, committed to getting fit for his beautiful young family and decided the Disney Marathon was the perfect way to make that happen. This was his second time running it and he finished only two minutes slower than he did 13 years ago. Wow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rich Bennett and his 10 year-old son Luke ran their first 5k together! Rich also runs the Morning Mile with his kindergartner, Emma. Setting such a fabulous example for his three kids. We’re thrilled!

Kelley Swanman ran her 1st half-marathon and finished in great time – 2:43! She says she’s proud to have just crossed the finish line. We think she looks like a super-fit Cinderella in front of that castle!

This was Sheryl Arriola’s 3rd full marathon, but she’s done 15 half-marathons too! At runDisney races, Sheryl loves the incredible energy and special touches from beginning to end. Her goal is to earn a Coast to Coast medal – that’s given to those who run a Disney race in both California and Florida within the same year. Keep at it fit lady!