ORLANDO, Fla. — Sunday was the last day of the Disney Marathon Weekend.
Thousands of runners are taking over the streets of Walt Disney World for the event. “I’m here for my best friend, bridesmaid Ally,” said a spectator in the crowd.
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The runners started taking off at 4:30 in the morning – and it was cold! At around 2 hours and 27 minutes into the race, Vanilson Neves, from Brazil, crossed the finish line, winning the marathon for the third time and the second year in a row.
“People have asked me what running represents to me. It’s my life,” he said in Portuguese. “I’m so happy because I never thought I would be able to visit Disney, and now I’m here.”
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A few minutes later, the first female runner—Marielle Despress, from France—completed the race. “When I passed into the first place, I was very happy,” she said. I can’t really explain, but I am really proud of myself.”
The route is 26.2 miles long across all four Disney theme parks. More than 30-thousand runners from all over the world showed up this weekend, and they dressed to the nines – many dressed as their favorite Disney character, from Pluto to Donald Duck, Daisy, and, of course, Minnie and Mikey Mouse – the stars of the show, along with the runners.
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“I’ve been working hard to hit a Boston qualifying time, and I did it here,” said Brooke Kaplan amid tears. “I have type one diabetes. So, it’s extra hard and extra challenging.”
While many came to run, many others went for emotional support. “We are here to support my husband, Cody Andrews,” said Lindsey Andrews, a spectator who came to the race with family. “It’s a hard and long race, so we want to make sure we’re here to support him.”
The Disney Marathon weekend has been around since 1994, and it’s part of a slew of other marathon-related events that go until October.
“We prepare all year long for this,” said Adam Ball with Walt Disney World. “As long as our runners are prepared, we’re doing the same thing on our side and will do everything to have a fantastic time together.”
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