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With a group that's been around as long as this one there are a ton of good stories to be told. You'll find everything from race reports to the history of some members nicknames in this section. |
The Orlando Sentinel Reports on the First Disney Marathon Barry Cooper (The Orlando Sentinel) |
Judging by pre-race interest, the first Disney Marathon should be a hit. At 6am next Sunday, 8,200 runners will race through a 26.2-mile course on Walt Disney World property. The field will range from world-class runners to weekend joggers. There will be a $125,000 purse, but one of the weekend warriors will share in that. That money is for top finishers in the elite division, which comprises some of the top runners in the world. Race officials are expecting it to be one of the most competitive marathons of the season, and the relatively flat layout should lead to quick times. Some marathon observers are predicting the Disney Marathon eventually will rank with the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon as one of the premier events on the racing calendar. "Marathon fever is very big here in the state," race director Jon Hughes said. "This is going to be the biggest thing to hit the Florida and Southeastern US running scene in a long time -- maybe ever." Among the runners entered in the elite division is Chris Bloor, 31, from St Petersburg. He won the 1991 Toronto Marathon. Also entered is Alem Kahsay, 21, a citizen of Ethiopia now living in New York. In 1991 he finished second in the African Ivory Coast Marathon. Among the favorites in the female division will be Lutsia Beleva, 36, from Moscow. She finished third last year in the Los Angeles Marathon and the Stockholm Marathon. Kathlene Bowman, 32, from Bellingham, Wash, also will be a favorite. In 1992 she finished first in the California International Marathon. The Boston and New York marathons are prestigious because they have been conducted for years. The Disney Marathon is hoping to gain stature because of great weather and the backing of Disney. Disney, actively seeking to back sporting events, views the marathon as a great promotional opportunity. "This is an example of the type of sporting event Disney wants to be involved with," Walt Disney World publicist John Story said. "This is already a big event, and we see it becoming bigger and better." In addition to having a field of more than 8,000 runners each year, Disney envisions the event attracting tourists drawn by the novelty of a marathon being run through theme parks. "This has got to be the most unusual setting for a marathon that I can recall," Hughes said. "I can't think of a marathon that runs through a theme park, let alone three." In planning the event, Disney doesn't appear to have overlooked anything. It even invited Fred Lebow, founder and race director of the New York City Marathon, to server as honorary race chairman. Lebow accepted, and his presence adds prestige to the event. Lebow said he was excited about the new event. "The beauty and excitement of the sport combined with the magic of Walt Disney World will bring out the kid in all of us," he said. The event will be open to the public; fans can watch for free by driving to the Epcot '94 parking lot, where seating areas will be provided near the start-finish line. There will be a $5 parking lot admission charge for fans arriving after 8:30am. By that time, many of the runners will have finished. Fans desiring to see the runners as they race through the theme parks will have to pay an admission charge to the parks. |