Subscribe for FREE!
Receive our Daily Disney Newsletter.
Have the best in Disney News & Views Delivered to you!
Tag Archives: Jeff Galloway
Rachel Booth Delivers Record-Setting Performance Again at Disney’s Princess Half Marathon
Louisiana runner breaks her own event record to become first woman to win an unprecedented four runDisney titles; race weekend total of 36,000 participants is event’s largest ever in five-year history
Rachel Booth etched her name in the runDisney record books – again – by winning Disney’s Princess Half Marathon on Sunday for the second straight time, beating her own race record from a year ago.
Perhaps even more significant, Booth stands alone as the only woman to win four runDisney races – two Princess Half Marathons (2012 and 2013) and two Disneyland Half Marathons (2010 and 2011).
This latest win, a 13.1-mile journey through Epcot and Magic Kingdom on an unseasonably warm February morning at Walt Disney World Resort, was fairly routine. Booth charged to the front of the pack of 26,000 runners at the start and was never seriously threatened, even though she could hear the cheers for second-place finisher Mia Elbon and third-place finisher Megan Jaswell behind her.
Bastos Reclaims Crown at 20th Annual Walt Disney World Marathon
Perhaps it was fitting that at the 20th 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 20th annual event.
“It was extra motivation, for sure,” Bastos, wearing a Donald Duck hat, said through an interpreter.
In a wire-to-wire duel between Bastos and Costa that has become commonplace at the Disney Marathon, Bastos flipped the script on Costa, winning the late-race sprint this time in the final half mile. Bastos, whose goal is to win 10 Disney Marathons, broke the tape at 2:21:16, just 16 seconds ahead of Costa (2:21:32).
20th Anniversary Disney World Marathon Weekend Marks the Occasion with Sold-Out Events
More than 55,000 runners from throughout the United States and beyond will lace up their running shoes and head to Walt Disney World Resort for the sold-out Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna, Jan. 10-13. Several celebrities including Drew Cary (‘The Price is Right,’) Sean Astin (‘Goonies’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings,’) and Alison Sweeney (‘The Biggest Loser,’) will join the celebration as runDisney marks the 20th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Marathon.
To mark two decades of the Walt Disney World Marathon, runners will enjoy several unique features, including a special 20th anniversary medal, course enhancements taking runners onto the track at Walt Disney World Speedway and through ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a Mile 20 spectacular featuring special entertainment and a new post-race party at Downtown Disney.
Marathon weekend features runDisney Kids’ Races, a Family Fun Run 5K on Friday, the Half Marathon on Saturday and the Marathon on Sunday. Thousands of runners will run Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, which involves running the Half Marathon and the full Marathon – 39.3 miles! 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. For more information, visit rundisney.com.
Related articles
- Starbucks Locations Opening at Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)
- What is Your “Disney Moment”? (chipandco.com)
Run Like a Disney Princess Sweepstakes
Do you want to run like a Disney Princess or just look and live like one? Then this contest is for you! Click Here to Enter! All you have to do is enter and pick which princess (and year) you want to represent you and you could win the grand prize or be an Instant Winner:
Enter today for your chance to win the grand prize package for four, including:
Race entry into Disney’s Princess Half Marathon, Disney Royal Family 5K, or runDisney Kids’ Races
Pasta in the Park Party at Epcot at the Princess Half Marathon Weekend
Platinum level ChEAR Squad/Race Retreat at the Princess Half Marathon
Meet & Greet with Olympian and runDisney Training Consultant Jeff Galloway
Round trip airfare
$800 worth of Disney Dining Gift Cards
3-Day Magic Your Way Theme Park Ticket
2-Night stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
And the ultimate royal retreat the evening after the race… one night in the Cinderella Castle Suite at Magic Kingdom Park
Capacity Field for 20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon to be Event’s Largest Ever
Limited Space Still Available Through Runner’s World Challenge, Groups and Charities
Less than five months after registration began, the 20th 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 20th 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.
