FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
American Runner Wins 25th Annual Walt Disney World Marathon
for First Time in 14 Years
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL (Jan. 7, 2018) - On the 25th anniversary of the Walt
Disney World Marathon, Nick Hilton ushered in a new era, ending Brazil's
recent dominance after becoming the first American to win the popular race
since 2004.
Hilton, 28, is only the fourth American runner to win the 26.2-mile race
that stretches through all four Disney theme parks and ESPN Wide World of
Sports Complex at the Central Florida resort. The last American winner was
Matthew Dobson 14 years ago. Before Hilton's win Sunday, a Brazilian runner
had won the race six of the past seven years, including the last four.
By contrast, the women's division remained decidedly Brazilian as Giovanna
Martins of Sao Paulo won for the third time in the last four years. In
fact, she became the only three-time women's winner in race history after
crossing the finish line in 2:47:22, well ahead of Jackie Hall of St.
Charles, Missouri (2:49:48) and Alicia Cevallos of Quito, Ecuador
(2:50:49).
Hilton's victory had extra significance. In addition to the victory coming
one year after he got engaged at Walt Disney World Resort, his winning time
qualified the Tucson, Arizona resident for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for
the 2020 Summer Games.
"I feel amazing," said Hilton, who hasn't had a lot of success in marathon
races. "The marathon has been a mixed bag for me, so to come back to a
place (Walt Disney World Resort) that means a lot to me and my wife, and to
come back and win, feels amazing."
And the Disney Marathon field of 25,500 made him earn it. Hilton battled
three other contenders for most of the race and didn't pull away until the
late stages. He finished in a blistering 2:17:52 - more than two minutes
ahead of Vanilson Neves of Sao Paulo (2:20:25) who was followed by Nicholas
Caprario of Kansas City, Missouri (2:21:31).
"I had a great group of guys who ran with me," Hilton said. "By about mile
20, there were two of us and we started running some 5 flats (five-minute
mile pace). I just happened to hold on a little bit better towards the end
of the race."
The Disney marathon weekend, which began in 1994 with one race involving
roughly 8,000 runners, has since grown to more than 100,000 runners and
spectators in its 25th year and remains one of the most popular marathons
in the nation and is widely regarded as the first entertainment-focused
marathon in the country. Over the years, nearly a million people of various
ages and abilities have run in a Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend race,
including 76 who have now run all 25 Disney marathons.
In celebration of the anniversary, every runner was given a commemorative
finisher's medal and special 25th anniversary Mickey Mouse ears to wear
after crossing the finish line at Epcot on what was a sunny but
unseasonably cool Florida morning. In addition, there were special
entertainment experiences every half mile along the course, from full
marching bands in three of the theme parks to a 100-member choir near Mile
26 to nostalgic Disney movie soundtracks playing along Main Street U.S.A.,
at Magic Kingdom, plus exciting meet & greet opportunities with beloved
Disney characters throughout the course.
The race was the final day of a five-day race weekend that featured kids'
races, a 5K, a 10K, and a half marathon before Sunday's marathon, plus a
health and fitness expo. Registration information for the four upcoming
Disney race weekends is at www.runDisney.com.
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