Marathon Archives - Page 3 of 21

Capacity Field for 20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon to be Event’s Largest Ever

September 8, 2012 by Chip 2 Comments

Limited Space Still Available Through Runner’s World Challenge, Groups and Charities

Less than five months after registration began, the 20^th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon presented by Cigna is sold out, marking one of the fastest sellouts in the event’s history.

More than 25,000 runners have registered for the Jan. 10-13 weekend event, ensuring this will be the largest Disney marathon field ever, surpassing the 23,000 runners who ran in the 2010 Disney Marathon.

Runners from around the country and beyond have been undoubtedly drawn to the event because of several unique features tied to the 20^th anniversary, such as new course twists (the route goes through the Walt Disney World Speedway and Champion Stadium), the new Mickey Mouse medal, the post-race party at Downtown Disney and the chance to run with several celebrities who have registered to run.

Runners still have a few opportunities to run in the Disney Marathon through the Runner’s World Challenge or by registering through a group or charity. The Runner’s World Challenge package, for instance, includes several exclusive features such as training advice from Runner’s World editors, race registration and other VIP amenities. Interested runners can sign up at Runnersworld.com or RunDisney.com, as well as for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon and Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, which involves running the half marathon and the marathon on consecutive days.

The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna will feature events for the entire family such as Kids’ Races throughout the weekend, including the Mickey Mile, a Family Fun Run 5K on Friday, the Half Marathon on Saturday and the Marathon on Sunday. The Health and Fitness Expo runs throughout the weekend at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and features the latest in running technology and fashion, as well as renowned running experts like Jeff Galloway, the official training consultant for runDisney.

Capacity Field for 20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon to be Event’s Largest Ever

Filed Under: ESPN, Marathon, News, Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Champion Stadium, Cigna, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, HalfMarathon, Jeff Galloway, mickey mouse, The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney World Resort

Jimmy Grabow Wins Disneyland Half Marathon, Sets New Mark

September 3, 2012 by Chip 1 Comment

Jimmy Grabow, from the appropriately named Running Springs, Calif., won the Disneyland Half Marathon in record fashion, finishing in 1:05:29. Grabow’s time was nearly two minutes faster than the previous mark, set by Paul Ngeny (1:07:24) in 2011.

Cindy Lynch, of Cardiff, Calif., captured the women’s title at Disneyland, finishing with a time of 1:24:45. She was followed by Kellie Nickerson (1:26:29), who earlier this year captured the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland.

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Filed Under: Disneyland, ESPN, Marathon, Parks & Resorts Tagged With: Anaheim, Anaheim California, cars land, disney, Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland, HalfMarathon, Sean Astin

Taking the Plunge…RunDisney!

September 1, 2012 by Ashley 2 Comments

If you decided to read on, perhaps you’ve been intrigued by the hype surrounding RunDisney. Maybe you’ve seen ads, emails, photos, and videos promoting RunDisney events and in the back of your mind, you’ve always said, “maybe one day!”. Maybe you’ve thought that for like about 5 seconds before you come to your senses and start listing of an arsenal of reasons why you (of all people) have no business running, period. Today I am here to help you stop that negative self talk and redirect your negative thoughts into positive realities.

About a year ago, I did just that! I put that negative talk to the side and committed to running the Princess Half Marathon. With 13.1 miles staring me in the face, my first step was to sign up. I knew that once I committed my money, my dedication would follow. That was seriously the best choice I could have made. I was that girl who always joked when I saw people running on the side of the road; “the only way I would be able to run is if someone chased after me with a knife!”. But, then I learned a little something about myself (that I think is true for everyone)… what is to be is up to me! In terms of training and running, I pushed myself like never before. It was hard! I am not going to kid you. But, it was SO worth it. Not only for the satisfaction of completing a RunDisney event, but more so, for just showing myself that I can take on a challenge and succeed. I am officially addicted to RunDisney! Running is all about putting one foot in front of the other. That is how I thought of the process; each action was a next step! I think you (insert your name here…yes, especially YOU) should take the plunge and RUN…Disney!

If you have been thinking about signing up for a race, take a look at my list of 5 pro’s to signing up for a RunDisney event! These will help you combat all those cons I know you’ve cooked up!

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Filed Under: Do and See, Events, Marathon, Marathon Training, News, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: HalfMarathon, Jeff Galloway, Princess Half Marathon, runDisney, The Walt Disney Company

Runners Get Their Kicks on Route 66 at Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

August 25, 2012 by Chip 6 Comments

The Happiest Race on Earth just got happier as runners in the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend will race Sept. 1 and 2 through the newly reopened Disney CaliforniaAdventure Park, including Cars Land.

More than 17,000 registered half marathon runners, including actor Sean Astin (The Goonies, Rudy, The Lord of the Rings), will get to motor down Route 66 through Cars Land as they start their 13.1 mile journey that takesthem through Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. In addition, runners will pass by the Matterhorn and through Sleeping Beauty Castle, all before hitting the streets of Anaheim and running through Angel Stadium of Anaheim. All along the route runners will be greeted by cheering fans, Disney characters, music and live entertainment.

This year’s sold-out half marathon field includes runners ages 14 – 78 from all 50 states and 19 countries. While all finishers receive a Disneyland Half Marathon medal, more than 2,800 who ran a runDisney race at Walt Disney World Resort earlier this year, will qualify to receive a second medal – the runDisney Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal.

In addition to the half marathon, other weekend events include the Cars Land 5K Rally, runDisney Kids’ Races and a two-day Health and Fitness Expo where visitors can check out the latest in fitness apparel, running gear and high tech gadgets as well as training information from runDisney training consultant Jeff Galloway, former Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton and well-known running authors Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell.

Registration Now Open for Disney’s Princess Half Marathon (chipandco.com)
20th Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is Going Hollywood (chipandco.com)

Runners Get Their Kicks on Route 66 at Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

Filed Under: Disneyland, ESPN, Marathon, Parks & Resorts Tagged With: disney, Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland, HalfMarathon, Jeff Galloway, Sean Astin, The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney World Resort

20th Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is Going Hollywood

August 19, 2012 by Chip 1 Comment

More and more celebrities are signing up to be a part of the 20th anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna. Alison Sweeney, host of the popular reality show “The Biggest Loser,” and ESPN personality Colin Cowherd signed up weeks ago.

But recently Drew Carey, Gilles Marini, Sean Astin, Kit Hoover, Jenna Morasca and Ethan Zohn threw their names in the hat, too. Astin and Carey are taking on the 26.2-mile full marathon, while the other celebs are sticking to the 13.1-mile half marathon during the historic race weekend, January 10-13, at Walt Disney World Resort.

Most of them are eager to run here because they already know what it’s like to run in a runDisney event. Carey, the comedian and host of “The Price is Right,” ran in the Disneyland Half Marathon last year. Astin, the lead actor in the movie “Rudy,” ran in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon earlier this year. And reality TV stars Morasca and Zohn (“Survivor” and “The Amazing Race”) ran in the Walt Disney World Half Marathon earlier this year and the Princess Half Marathon last year.

Cowherd, Sweeney, Marini (“Sex and the City: The Movie” and “Dancing with the Stars”), and Hoover (“Access Hollywood” co-host) are the runDisney newbies. Hoover and Sweeney have run other half marathons, but this will be the maiden voyage for Marini and Cowherd, both of whom have never run a half marathon previously.

Cowherd, in particular, is apparently not the least bit nervous about biting off a half marathon. In fact, he’s been having a lot of fun with it. Check out the video below, which appeared on the runDisney Facebook page and on Twitter, and you’ll see what I mean.

By the way, you can run with these celebs. The weekend races are filling up, but you can still register at runDisney.com.