FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BRAZILIAN COSTA PULLS OFF "THREE-PEAT" AT WALT DISNEY WORLD MARATHON
Fredison Costa notches third straight 26.2-mile victory at Disney; Orlando
area's Natasha Yaremczuk claims her first women's title; More than 100,000
runners and fans take part in the four-day runDisney event
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Jan. 10, 2016) – Under unseasonably warm and humid
temperatures, Brazilian runner Fredison Costa, chalked up his third
straight win at the Walt Disney World Marathon presented by Cigna Sunday
with a time of (2:33:24). With this win, Costa has now won the Disney
Marathon five times in the past six years.
For the past two years, Costa has been living in the Orlando area and
training at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort
under the guidance of former US Olympic track coach Brooks Johnson. But the
unseasonably warm and humid conditions zapped his speed, saddling him with
the slowest of his five Disney victories.
"I am very happy to win here at Disney today and defend my title. I love
the people and I love Disney," Fredison said. "My dream now is to qualify
for the Olympic Trials in the upcoming London Marathon and run in this
year's Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro."
Mateus Trindade, also from Brazil, finished second again this year with a
time of (2:34:49), just over a minute behind Costa. Jeff Martinez of
Binghamton, New York, finished third (2:36:00).
Natasha Yaremczuk, 35, of Montverde, FL, was the first female finisher with
a time of (2:52:23). It was Yaremczuk's first victory at the Walt Disney
World Marathon after running various runDisney events in the past. Jennifer
Walton of Wesley Chapel, Florida, was second (3:01:38) and Corina Canitz of
Brookfield, Wisconsin. (3:03:48) was third.
"I have raced Disney in the past and always loved it," said Yaremczuk.
"Today I found myself taking more water breaks than ever before due to the
humidity."
Also among the field of more than 26,000 runners Sunday, was Cedric King, a
U.S. Army retired Master Sergeant who is a decorated war hero and
double-amputee as a result of injuries during combat in Afghanistan. King,
a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient from Fayetteville, North Carolina,
completed the 26.2-mile race despite his disability.
In all, more than 100,000 runners and spectators took part in the Walt
Disney Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna. More than 7,500 runners ran in
all four weekend events – the 5K, the 10K, the half marathon and the
marathon, completing the popular "Dopey Challenge" (48.6 miles.
Disney Marathon featured events for the entire family such as runDisney
Kids' Races, the Family Fun Run 5K on Thursday, the Walt Disney World 10K
on Friday, the half marathon on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday. A
Health and Fitness Expo ran throughout the weekend at ESPN Wide World of
Sports Complex and featured the latest in running technology and fashion,
as well as renowned running expert Jeff Galloway, the official training
consultant for runDisney, and Tara Gidus, the official runDisney
nutritionist.
The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is the first race in the 2016
runDisney series, which includes eight weekend events at Walt Disney World
and Disneyland resorts, plus the inaugural Disneyland Paris Half Marathon
Weekend, Sept. 23-25. Next up in the runDisney series is the Star Wars Half
Marathon Weekend at Disneyland Resort, Jan. 14-17.
About runDisney: runDisney, one of the largest race organizers in the
nation, hosts a series of nine event weekends providing runners unique
opportunities to run various distances through Disney theme parks. Race
participants earn Disney-themed medals, experience legendary Disney
entertainment and guest service and ultimately celebrate their
accomplishments with a Disney vacation. The original event in the series,
the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna, takes place in
January followed by the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in February and the Disney Wine & Dine
Half Marathon Weekend in November. Disneyland hosts the Star Wars Half
Marathon in January, the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend presented by
PANDORA Jewelry in May, Star Wars Half Marathon -The Dark Side in April at
Walt Disney World, the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna
during Labor Day Weekend, the Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend
in November and the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend in September.
Nearly 250,000 running enthusiasts participate in runDisney events each
year. For more information, visit runDisney.com and follow
us on Facebook (runDisney), Twitter @runDisney and Instagram.
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