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Carol
03-22-2007, 04:26 PM
Walt Disney World Inline Marathon Celebrates Fifth Anniversary
From; Florida Sports Magazine:

Inline skaters from across the country will have the chance to experience the Walt Disney World Resort on wheels as part of the Walt Disney World Inline Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday, Apr. 1 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Skaters as young as 13-years old will participate in the races, which start at 6:15 a.m. at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, the premier sports venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States.

From the sports complex, the loop course whisks skaters to tinsel town at Disney-MGM Studios. After parading down Hollywood Boulevard, skaters stroll along a charming coastal village at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Resort, then continue on to Epcot and the eleven great nations of the spectacular World Showcase. Half-marathoners experience an exhilarating finish at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, while those daring enough to complete the full 26.2 miles circle around for a second loop through the scenic course.

Disney’s Inline Marathon includes an entire weekend of race activities, including both the Inline Marathon Expo from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Milk House at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex and the All-Star Kids Classic races on Saturday, March 31.

For the second straight year, internationally-acclaimed speed skaters Joey Cheek and Derek Parra will attend to sign autographs and make an appearance at the All-Star Kids Classic and Marathon.

Cheek became a national hero in Turin when he won gold in the men’s 500m event and followed it with silver in the men’s 1000m. He truly solidified his status as a hero after the races when he donated his entire Olympic winnings to the charity Right to Play that aides refugees in Chad, Africa.

The 2006 Olympics were Parra’s second consecutive trip to the Winter Games after he won gold and silver medals at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. As an Orlando native, this also will be Parra’s third time attending the Walt Disney World Inline Marathon Weekend.

Also returning to participate will be inline legend Eddy Matzger. Matzger, who has won more than 100 inline races and was the first person to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro wearing inline skates, will be available to interact with fans and athletes at the Inline Marathon Expo as well as compete in the race the following day.

Skaters can register for the Walt Disney World Inline Marathon and Half Marathon online at www.disneysports.com or print an application to be completed and mailed. Entries received on or before March 31 are $80 for the Inline Marathon and $65 for the Half Marathon. Entry fees are non-refundable/non-transferable and race day registration will not be available.

Others who want to be part of Disney’s Inline Marathon can volunteer as a Disney Sports Enthusiast. To learn more visit www.disneysports.com and click on the Sports Enthusiasts link.

The Endurance Series at Walt Disney World Resort gives recreational athletes of all ages and abilities the chance to walk, jog, run, skate, bike and swim their way “around the world.” From running and skating marathons to road races and triathlons, participating athletes from across the country and around the world compete to stay in shape, to achieve personal-best times and often to raise donations for charitable causes.

Popular Endurance Series events include the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon (January), the Walt Disney World Inline Marathon and Half Marathon (April), the Walt Disney World Triathlon (September) and Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K (October).

Kellie19891992
03-25-2007, 09:14 PM
Good Luck to all who enter!!!!

SallyP
04-01-2007, 12:48 PM
Unfortunately this event was scheduled on one of WDW's busiest weekends with Spring break and Easter (Holy) week. It snarled traffic for miles and probably kept people from reaching character breakfasts on time on Sunday morning.
We left WL at 8:30, couldn't get to I-4 the usual way because it was 'coned' off for the event. Entrance into Epcot was 6 lanes across and at least 25 cars long in each lane. The Disney buses were at the mercy of the skaters too.
I just think it was poor scheduling on Disney's part. No information was given to us at the resort of possible delays in reaching theme parks for a specified reservation.
I do hope the participants had fun and enjoyed the event. It was a beautiful morning in the World. They didn't do the scheduling.