Brazilian Costa Wins 2016 Walt Disney World Marathon - Third in a Row

Brazilians are known for bringing large groups of Disney fans to the parks each year, and runDisney’s Walt Disney World Marathon is no exception.  Brazilian runners Fredison Costa and Adriano Bastos have dominated the event for more than a decade.  Fredison Costa notched his third straight Walt Disney World Marathon victory; Orlando area’s Natasha Yaremczuk claimed her first women’s title; and more than 100,000 runners and fans took part in the four-day runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon weekend.  Next up in the runDisney series is the Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend at Disneyland Resort, January 14-17.  Click here for our first-hand account of the Inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon, and continue reading for more details on the Walt Disney World Marathon in runDisney’s press release.

2016 Walt Disney World Marathon

Brazilian runner Fredison Costa, 38, raises his hand in celebration on Jan. 10 after winning the Walt Disney World Marathon presented by Cigna; image courtesy runDisney

From runDisney’s Press Release

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).

2016 Walt Disney World Marathon

Natasha Yaremczuk, 35, won the women’s division of 2016 Walt Disney World Marathon presented by Cigna with a time of 2:52:23; image courtesy runDisney

 

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).

runDisney Dopey Challenge

Photo by Ali Nasser, courtesy runDisney © Disney. All Rights Reserved

 

The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 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, September 23-25, 2016.

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About Dave Parfitt

Married, father of two girls, and living in the heart of the Finger Lakes. I'm a runner with a PhD in neuroscience and a passion for travel.