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Disney Marathon Finishers Get New Medal 
and Complimentary Day at Disney on ‘Marathon Monday’

New 2011 race enhancements include reward of complimentary admission 
to a Walt Disney World theme park for marathon finishers, plus first-ever 
online voting to select new race medal; race registration well underway 
after record marathon weekend exceeded 55,500 in 2010 

In addition to a tremendous sense of accomplishment, a magical reward will await everyone who completes the Walt Disney World Marathon presented by Cigna in 2011: a new Mickey Mouse race medal and a free day at Disney.

As part of Disney’s ongoing efforts to encourage guests to celebrate the milestones in their lives at a Disney park, finishers at the Disney Marathon on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, will receive complimentary admission to a Walt Disney World theme park the Monday after the race.

And for the first time ever, runners and fans can choose the official 2011 Disney Marathon medal, which will be their unofficial “ticket’’ to Disney on “Marathon Monday.’’ Through online voting this summer, fans can vote for their favorite from three medal designs, all created by Jostens Inc., which has designed Super Bowl rings and college football’s prestigious Heisman Trophy. The medal with the most votes will become the official medal of the 2011 Walt Disney World Marathon.

Voting is underway now and runs through July 28 at disneyworldmarathon.com. The winning medal will be announced in early August.

“Running 26.2 miles is quite an accomplishment even if you’re energized by Disney entertainment along the way, so what better way to celebrate such an achievement than a complimentary fun-filled day at Disney where you can show off your new medal,’’ said Faron Kelley, director of marketing for Disney Sports. “These new features are just more ways runners and their families can combine their passion for running with a memorable trip to their favorite vacation destination.’’

Registration remains open for the 2011 Walt Disney Marathon Weekend (Jan. 6-9), which is approaching 50 percent of capacity. The Disney Marathon Weekend (typical race start temperature 48.6 degrees) will once again include a variety of events for all ages and running abilities – kids races, a Family Fun Run 5K, the Goofy Race & a Half Challenge, the Disney Half Marathon and the Disney Marathon, plus the Health & Fitness Expo. To sign up for any of the weekend events, go to disneyworldmarathon.com.

Last year’s Disney Marathon Weekend, which drew a record 55,500 registered runners from all 50 states and 50 countries, was highlighted by Adriano Bastos’ sixth consecutive Disney Marathon victory and Lisa Mizutani’s second straight women’s title.

About Disney’s Endurance Series

The Endurance Series at Walt Disney World Resort gives recreational athletes of all ages and abilities the chance to walk, jog, run, bike and swim their way “around the world.” From marathons to road races to triathlons, athletes from across the country and around the world compete to stay in shape, achieve personal best times and raise donations for charitable causes. Popular Endurance Series events are the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon presented by Cigna, Champion 5K at ESPN the Weekend, Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker, Expedition Everest Challenge presented by Champion and the inaugural Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend.

Bastos Prevails in 2010 WDW Marathon

Adriano Bastos from Sao Paulo, Brazil, celebrates Jan. 10, 2010 as he crosses the finish line 
to win the 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon. Bastos has now won the Disney Marathon seven times.

Adriano Bastos weathered the elements and a late-race challenge Sunday to snag his sixth consecutive Walt Disney World Marathon present by CIGNA and seventh overall. Likewise, Lisa Mizutani won the women’s title for the second straight year.

Unlike last year when Bastos, 31, led the 26.2 mile race virtually from start to finish, the colorful Brazilian battled temperatures in the low-30s and was pushed much of the race by several competitors, creating the tightest finish among Bastos’ seven victories at Disney. With about three miles to go, Bastos opened a small lead and crossed the finish line at 2:22:08 – 33 seconds ahead of fellow Brazlian Fredison Costa (2:22:41). Jay Lumpkins of Ocoee, Fla., was third (2:24:24).

"The real challenge wasn’t the cold weather, but it was the fact that I had someone challenging me for first place,’’ said Bastos, whose goal is to win 10 straight Disney Marathons. “This is the first time that I felt that I had runners at the same level with me. I was scared. I thought my streak might be broken."

Mizutani, 24, of Japan won just as easily as she did a year ago, this time crossing the finish line in 2:51:20 - more than five minutes ahead of Christa Benton of St. Petersburg, Fla (2:56:43).

Lisa Mizutani, from Tsukuba, Japan, celebrates Jan. 10, 2010 as she crosses the finish line 
to win the women's division of the 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon.

Matthew Dobson of Jay, Fla., was the top men’s Masters Division finisher (runners age 40 and over) with a time of 2:38:15 and Terri Rejimbal won the women’s Masters Division with 3:14:26. In the wheelchair division, Krige Schabort of Cedartown, Ga. (1:42:35) and Shirley Reilly of Tucson, Ariz. (2:22:30), both won the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, for the second straight year.

The Disney Marathon capped a weekend of endurance events at Disney, including the Disney Half Marathon, the Disney-Pixar Up and Away Family Fun Run 5K, Disney’s Kids Races and a Health & Fitness Expo. In all, more than 55,000 runners registered for events throughout the weekend, making this the largest Disney Marathon Weekend since the event’s debut in 1994.

Registration for the 2010 Disney Marathon Weekend (Jan. 6-9, 2011) begins Monday Jan. 11, 2010. To register for the marathon or for any Disney endurance race, visit www.disneyworldmarathon.com or www.disneyenduranceseries.com. 

Johnson, Mortensen Blaze to Chilly WDW Half-Marathon Victory

Michigan runners Chad Johnson and Emily Mortensen weathered near freezing temperatures Saturday to take home the men’s and women’s Walt Disney World Half Marathon division titles.

Braving freezing rain and temperatures in the low-30s, Johnson won for the second time after streaking to the finish at the Walt Disney World Half Marathon presented by CIGNA in 2008. Johnson, 33, who trained for the Disney event by running at times in snowy conditions in Rochester Hills, Mich., battled fellow Hanson’s Brooks Distance Project Running Club member Sage Canaday for nearly 10 miles before pulling away and finishing at 1:07:02 - 18 seconds ahead of Canaday. Luis Rivera from Puerto Rico was third at 1:08:55.

Walt Disney World Marathon participants make their way down Main Street, U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom Jan. 10, 2010. 
More than 24,000 runners were registered for the 26.2-mile run through all four Walt Disney World theme parks.

After the race, Johnson said he and some of his Hanson’s Brooks running club teammates were going to celebrate by going to the Magic Kingdom.

Mortensen, 27, took the women’s title with a time of 1:20:58, finishing just ahead of Jen Blue (1:21:37) and Elizabeth Foster (1:21:52).

Mickey Mouse high-fives a runner Jan. 10, 2010 at the finish line of the Walt Disney World Marathon.

Jon Williams, 41, of Miami won the Masters division (ages 40 and up) with a time of 1:18:09. Ramilya Burangulov, 48, from Gainesville, Fla. ran away with the women’s Masters race with a time of 1:22:22.

In the Wheelchair division, Germantown, Tenn. resident John Payne won for the second straight year, this time crossing the finish line at 1:40:26.

Despite the unseasonably cold Florida weather, the field featured nearly 23,000 runners who covered the 13.1-mile course while being entertained with fireworks, music and appearances by several Disney characters.

A runner dressed as Tinker Bell runs through Epcot Jan. 10, 2010 during the annual Walt Disney World Marathon. 
More than 24,000 runners were registered for the 26.2-mile run through all four Walt Disney World theme parks.

Combined with the Disney Marathon on Jan. 10, more than 55,000 people are expected to take part in the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA – the most since the event began in 1994. The weekend also includes the Disney-Pixar Up and Away Family Fun Run 5K, Disney’s Kids Races and a Health and Fitness Expo.

WDW Marathon

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM TIGGER: Runners get the unique chance to high-five favorite Disney characters 
during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. 
About 50,000 athletes are anticipated for the weekend's race events. The four-day "weekend" (Jan. 7-10, 2010) includes 
a Health and Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a 5K "Fun Run" 
at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, Kids' Races at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex 
and the event's two signature races -- the Disney Half Marathon and Disney Full Marathon. 
Also featured -- Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge, for runners who challenge themselves 
to complete both the Half Marathon and the Full Marathon on consecutive days.

More than 55,000 participants head to the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend; Bastos strives for sixth straight victory; 7,500 athletes go 'Goofy'

More than 55,500 expected runners - Disney’s largest marathon weekend field ever - are registered for the 17^th annual Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA Jan. 7-10, 2010.  This year’s capacity field tops last year’s record by 10,500 registered participants and aims to place the marathon weekend as the top combination race weekend in the country.

A record 55,500 athletes have registered for the variety of events that make up the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.  In 2009 the Walt Disney World Marathon was the eighth largest in the nation and the second largest combination race weekend.  The main event – Sunday’s 26.2-mile journey through Disney’s four major theme parks – starts at 5:40 a.m. near Epcot.

Runners can look forward to VIP treatment as new “More Magic” options have been added.  A pre-race pasta party and a post-race private celebration are new ticketed events available to those in attendance.  On Thursday, Jan. 7, the Pasta in the Park Party at Epcot will give runners and their friends and family a chance to “carb load” before the race and see a special viewing of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” a nighttime fireworks display.  After the marathon on Sunday, the chance to ride select attractions and unwind with a live DJ and Disney characters is available when Disney’s Hollywood Studios hosts a private Victory Lap Celebration.

The VIP Race Retreat package is available again this year offering 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.

Another annual highlight returning this year is Brazil’s Adriano Bastos. Bastos is chasing his sixth straight Disney marathon victory and seventh overall.  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 second-place finisher 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 Friday and Saturday.  The Kids’ Races will include a diaper dash, 100, 200 and 400-yard race and the timed Mickey Mile.  There’s also Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, which involves both running the half marathon on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday.  Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge celebrates its fifth anniversary with 7,500 registered, 193 of those runners being “Perfectly Goofy” by running in all five Goofy Challenges.  The “Perfectly Goofy” runners will receive special recognition throughout the weekend.  The Disney Marathon Weekend also features a Health and Fitness Expo (Jan. 7-9) at the soon-to-be-reimagined ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.  The event, which is free, 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.

Registration for the 2011 WALT DISNEY WORLD Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA opens Jan. 11, 2010.  For more information on the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend or to register for the 2011 event (Jan. 6-9, 2011), visit disneyworldmarathon.com.

The Endurance Series at Walt Disney World Resort gives recreational athletes of all ages and abilities the chance to walk, jog, run, bike and swim their way “around the world.” From marathons to road races to triathlons, athletes from across the country and around the world compete to stay in shape, achieve personal best times and raise donations for charitable causes. Popular Endurance Series events are the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon (Jan. 6-9, 2011), Champion 5k at ESPN the Weekend (Feb. 27, 2010), Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend (March 5-7, 2010), Expedition Everest Challenge (June 12, 2010) and the inaugural Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (Oct. 1-2, 2010).  Please visit disneyenduranceseries.com for more information and follow us on Twitter @DisneySports for daily updates.

THE RACE IS ON: The Walt Disney World Marathon gets off to a dazzling pre-dawn start 
to a magical 26.2-mile journey through all four Disney theme parks. 
The 17th annual Disney Marathon is slated for Jan. 10, 2010.

2010 Walt Disney World Marathon Fast Facts

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: A record registration field of 55,500 runners is set for the 2010 Disney Marathon Weekend – a four-day “weekend” event (Jan. 7-10, 2010) that consists of the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Disney-Pixar Up & Away Family Fun Run 5K, Mickey’s Marathon Kids’ Fest and Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo.

READY TO RUN: Almost 24,000 athletes are registered for the full marathon and more than 23,000 are registered for the half marathon – the event’s two signature races.

THE RACE FOR THE LARGEST WEEKEND: Participant numbers for 2009 placed the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend in second place for the largest combination race weekend in the nation, behind Arizona’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Weekend.

IT'S OK TO BE ‘GOOFY’ AT DISNEY WORLD: A capacity field of 7,500 athletes is registered for the “Goofy Race and a Half Challenge,” an event that will challenge runners to complete both the full marathon and half marathon – 39.3 miles – in consecutive days.

PERFECTLY ‘GOOFY’: 193 registered athletes will be celebrating the fifth anniversary of the “Goofy Race and a Half Challenge” by running in their fifth consecutive Goofy challenge. These “Perfectly Goofy” participants will receive special recognition throughout the weekend.

UP & AWAY FUN RUN 5K: A capacity field of 5,500 athletes is registered for the Disney-Pixar Up & Away Family Fun Run 5K. The annual “fun run” is held at the Epcot theme park Jan. 8, 2010, at 7:00 a.m.

ALL AGES WELCOME: Over 2,500 children ranging from infant to 13 years of age are registered for Mickey’s Marathon Kids’ Fest.  Events include the diaper dash, 100, 200 and 400 yard race, and a timed Mickey Mile.  Events take place on Jan. 8 and Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. at the soon-to-be-re-imagined ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

TOP TEN STATES: There are 14 states with more than 500 athletes registered in the full marathon (listed with number of participants):

TRULY A WALT DISNEY WORLD EVENT: The 24,000+ athletes registered for the full marathon represent a listing of 50+ countries from around the world.

O CANADA!: Countries outside of the U.S. with the most runners (with number of athletes registered) for the full marathon are:

GLOBAL TREK: The runners traveling the farthest distance to compete in the full marathon come 10,345 miles from Singapore. (That’s the distance of almost 395 full marathons!)

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER: This year’s full marathon has a wide range of ages in the 26.2-mile challenge – from 18 to 87. It even has a representative for each age spanning from 18 to 78.

ORANGE YOU HAPPY YOU RAN THIS YEAR?: Athletes from 56 of Florida’s 67 counties are represented in the full marathon. The top 10 Florida counties represented (with number of athletes registered) are: