LPWire: Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon Registration Closes at Record Pace

Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon Registration Closes at Record Pace
10th Anniversary Race Features Largest Field Ever with 22,000 Registered

Runners from around the world set a record pace as registration for the 10th annual Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon has concluded with 22,000 participants, including 16,000 for the 26.2 trek through all four Walt Disney World theme parks and resort areas. The runners will take their mark at the starting line outside the gates of Epcot on January 12, 2003.

With six months still remaining until the race, the 2003 event has already set two personal records (or, in race terms, "PRs"). Registration officially concluded on July 12, marking the earliest closing date in the 10-year history of the Disney event. Thanks to the growing popularity in the world's most magical marathon, the upcoming race weekend also features the largest registered field in Disney history at 22,000. The 2002 Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon, which took place in January, held both previous records, including a then-best registered field of 18,500, and a registration closing date of July 19.

The Walt Disney World Half Marathon, which will also be run on January 12, 2003, reached its capacity of 6,000 runners on March 25, also a Disney record, having added 1,000 runners more than any prior year. In all, the effort by organizers to satisfy demand and accommodate more runners has expanded the overall Disney event capacity by 3,500 entries from 2002. Registration for both races was conducted online at www.disneyworldsports.com, and by mail, for the third consecutive year.

"With 22,000 registrants and special events planned to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Walt Disney World Marathon, the 2003 Disney race weekend promises to be one of the most celebrated running events of the new year," said Jon Hughes, race director for the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon, and president/owner of Event Marketing and Management International.

"From first-timers to the select members of the "Perfect 10 Club" who have competed in every Disney Marathon, more runners than ever before will experience the exhilaration and the world-class entertainment that has become synonymous with the Walt Disney World Marathon."

The Marathon course takes runners on a magical journey through all four Walt Disney World theme parks, resort and entertainment areas, and Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. Runners encounter all kinds of entertaining surprises along the way, including many of the famous Disney characters, which provide entertainment throughout both the Marathon and Half Marathon.

In 2002, the Walt Disney World Marathon included 123 Canadian Half Marathon finishers and 290 Canadian Marathon finishers. The top marathon runner was 41-year-old Charlie Lefort of Inverness, Nova Scotia, who placed 31st overall in 2:54:56.

The first Disney Marathon was held on Jan. 16, 1994 and featured 8,200 registered participants. In its short history, the event has grown into one of the 10 largest marathons in the United States and top 15 in the world. The race has become especially popular with first-time half-marathon and marathon runners. In all, the race has welcomed runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes from all U.S. states and more than 35 countries - from as near as Orlando, Fla., and as far as Osaka, Japan.

Athletes who complete the marathon in less than seven hours receive a special Mickey Mouse-shaped gold medal, and athletes who complete the half marathon in less than 3-1/2 hours receive a Donald Duck-shaped gold medal.

The Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon are part of an entire running weekend at Walt Disney World Resort. In 2003, the event promises to be even more special as it marks the 10th anniversary of the Disney race. Both the Disney Marathon and Half Marathon races are set for January 12, 2003. The race weekend also features the popular FamilyFun Magazine 5K and Kids Races on Jan. 11, 2003, and the two-day Disney's Health and Fitness Expo on Jan. 10-11, 2003. Runners can still register for the 5K and Kids Races at www.disneyworldsports.com.

Special Walt Disney World Resort Marathon packages are available for registered runners, family members, and friends through Disney Sports Travel by calling 407-939-7810 or a travel agent. Guests may also contact Disney Sports Travel by e-mail at wdw.disney.sports.travel(at)disney.com.

--Posted July 17, 2002
Source: Walt Disney World