Nearly 3,000 Runners Registered for Goofy's-Race-and-a-Half-Challenge
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Oct. 6) ? Registration for the 13th annual Walt Disney World
Marathon and Half Marathon has officially closed with a record 30,000 total participants. The popular
26.2-mile trek through all four Walt Disney World theme parks and hotel 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 4,000 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 16,000.
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.
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2006 Walt Disney World Marathon/Goofy's Race-and-Half-8Challenge – page 2
"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 include Disney's Family 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 Family Fun Run 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 vacation 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.
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Contact:
Elizabeth Benz, Walt Disney World Media Relations – 407-566-5339
Peter Stuart, Walt Disney World Media Relations – 407-566-5752