Bastos Six-Peats, Mizutani Defends Walt Disney World Marathon 2010

Running USA Wire
Johnson, Mortensen take half-marathon titles; event record of more than 55,000 entrants with nearly 34,000 finishers in marathon and half-marathon, the largest M/H combo all-time
From Marissa May

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - (January 9-10, 2010) - Adriano Bastos weathered the elements and a late-race challenge Sunday morning to snag his sixth consecutive Walt Disney World Marathon presented by CIGNA, and seventh win overall, while Lisa Mizutani defended the women's title. The 17th edition attracted a field of nearly 24,000 runners.

Unlike last year when Bastos led the 26.2 mile race virtually from start to finish, the colorful Brazilian battled temperatures in the low-30s and was pushed much of the race by several competitors, creating the tightest finish among Bastos' seven victories at Disney. With about three miles to go, Bastos, 31, opened a small lead and crossed the finish line at 2 hours, 22 minutes, 8 seconds - 33 seconds ahead of countryman Fredison Costa (2:22:41). Jay Lumpkins of Ocoee, Fla. was third in 2:24:24.

"The real challenge wasn't the cold weather, but it was the fact that I had someone challenging me for first place," said Bastos, whose goal is to win 10 straight Disney Marathons. "This is the first time that I felt that I had runners at the same level with me. I was scared. I thought my streak might be broken."

Mizutani, 24, of Japan won just as easily as she did a year ago, this time crossing the finish line in 2:51:20 - more than five minutes ahead of Christa Benton of St. Petersburg, Fla. who clocked 2:56:43.

Matthew Dobson of Jay, Fla. was the top men's Masters division finisher (runners age 40 and over) in 2:38:16, while Terri Rejimbal from Tampa won the women's Masters race with a 3:14:28.

In the wheelchair division, Krige Schabort of Cedartown, Ga. (1:42:35) and Shirley Reilly of Tucson, Ariz. (2:22:30) won the men's and women's divisions, respectively, for the second straight year.

In Saturday's half-marathon, Michigan runners Chad Johnson and Emily Mortensen weathered freezing rain and temperatures in the low-30s to take home the Open titles.

Johnson, 33, who trained for the Disney event by running at times in snowy conditions in Rochester Hills, Mich., battled Hansons-Brooks Distance Project teammate Sage Canaday for nearly 10 miles before pulling away and finishing at 1:07:02 - 18 seconds ahead of Canaday. Johnson also won the event in 2008. Luis Rivera from Puerto Rico was third (1:08:55).

Mortensen, 27, took the women's title in 1:20:58, finishing ahead of Jen Blue (1:21:37) and Elizabeth Foster (1:21:52).

Jon Williams, 41, of Miami won the Masters division in 1:18:09, while Russian Ramilya Burangulov, 48, from Gainesville, Fla. ran away with the women's Masters race with her 1:22:56.

Despite the unseasonably cold Florida weather, the field featured nearly 23,000 runners who covered the 13.1-mile course while being entertained with fireworks, music and appearances by several Disney characters.

The Disney Marathon capped a weekend of endurance events at Disney, including the Disney Half Marathon, the Disney-Pixar Up and Away Family Fun Run 5K, Disney's Kids Races and a Health & Fitness Expo. In all, more than 55,000 runners registered for events throughout the weekend, making this the largest Disney Marathon Weekend since the event's debut in 1994.

At press time, the marathon and half-marathon combined had nearly 34,000 finishers, the largest M/H combo all-time (previous record, 28,555, P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona 2009). In addition, nearly 6,000 completed the Goofy Challenge (running both the half-marathon and marathon).

Registration for the 2011 Disney Marathon Weekend (January 6-9) begins Monday, January 11, 2010. To register for the marathon or for any Disney endurance race, visit: www.disneyenduranceseries.com

17th Walt Disney World® Marathon
Orlando, FL, Sunday, January 10, 2010

MEN
1) Adriano Bastos (BRA), 2:22:08
2) Fredison Costa (BRA), 2:22:41
3) Jay Lumpkins (FL), 2:24:24

WOMEN
1) Lisa Mizutani (JPN), 2:51:20
2) Christa Benton (FL), 2:56:43
3) Elena Linn (GA), 2:58:43

13th Walt Disney World Half Marathon
Saturday, January 9, 2010

MEN
1) Chad Johnson (MI), 1:07:02
2) Sage Canady (MI), 1:07:20
3) Luis Rivera (PUR), 1:08:55
4) Hunter Kemper (CO), 1:09:12
5) Jarrod Shoemaker (MA), 1:11:26

WOMEN
1) Emily Mortensen (MI), 1:20:58
2) Jen Blue (MN), 1:21:37
2) Elizabeth Foster (CT), 1:21:52
4) Erin Richard (MI), 1:21:57
5) Ramilya Burangulova, 48, RUS / FL, 1:22:56

For complete results and more, go to: www.disneyworldmarathon.com