Spread over 220 acres at the Walt Disney World Resort, Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex plays host to more than 170 events each year for professional and amateur athletes in some 30 sports. The state-of-the-art facility includes multiple venues and is home to more than 40 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Championships, Atlanta Braves Spring Training, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp, the Sports Experience interactive area, and the All Star Cafe sports-themed restaurant. The 2006 Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon registration officially closed with a record number of runners, and nearly 3,000 runners registered for Goofy’s-Race-and-a-Half-Challenge.
Registration for the 13th annual Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon has officially closed with a record 29,000 total participants. The popular 26.2-mile trek through all four Walt Disney World theme parks and resort areas is slated for January 8, 2006, at Walt Disney World Resort. For the first time in Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend history, the Walt Disney World Half Marathon will take place on a separate day, Saturday, Jan. 7.
Following the success of the 12th annual Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in January 2005, race officials increased race capacity -- by 2,000 entries in the marathon and by 3,000 in the half marathon -- in preparation for the 2006 event. The marathon closed registration on Sept. 8 at 14,000 participants, while the half marathon closed on Aug. 28 at 15,000. The new capacity goals represent an overall increase of 6.25 percent from 2005.
With the new split-day format, race participants were invited to participate in Goofy’s Race-and-a-Half Challenge, running both races and the overall 39.3 miles across Walt Disney World Resort during the two days. Nearly 3,000 runners have accepted Goofy’s Race-and-a-Half Challenge. Athletes who complete both the marathon and half marathon will receive a brand new specially designed Goofy Medal.
The Goofy medal is the third in the series of coveted Disney race-specific medals. As in recent years, athletes who complete the full marathon receive the Mickey Mouse medal and athletes who complete the half marathon receive the Donald Duck medal.
"We are very excited about the number of runners who have registered to participate in the first-ever Goofy’s Race-and-a-Half Challenge," said Mike Millay, director of sports program and event sales for Disney Sports Attractions. "To complete both Disney’s half marathon and marathon in one weekend is an amazing accomplishment, and now that we’ve moved to a split-day format, our runners are taking advantage of the opportunity to take home the prized Goofy Medal."
The Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon highlight an entire running weekend at Walt Disney World Resort other highlights are Disney’s Fun Run 5K and Kids’ Races on Saturday, Jan. 7, and Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, Jan. 5-7. Registration remains open for the 2006 5K and Kids’ Races at www.disneyworldsports.com. Registration for the 2007 Marathon and Half Marathon will open online on Jan. 9, 2006.
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@disney.com.