Runner's World and runDisney Partner on VIP Challenge Experience, Training for 20th Anniversary Walt Disney Marathon Weekend

NEW YORK and LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine a weekend where you run through Disney theme parks, experience Disney entertainment and are rewarded with a unique Disney medal, all while running side-by-side with Runner's World editors who helped you train and encouraged you along the way.

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The 20th anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon, Half Marathon and Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge, which are part of Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna, are the latest races to be designated Runner's World Challenge events. Participants will virtually train with Runner's World editors leading up to race weekend, and then on race weekend have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive VIP race experience with Runner's World editors all hosted by runDisney at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, FL.

The weekend consists of the Half Marathon Jan. 12, 2013 and the Marathon Jan. 13. Those who choose to can run the Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge, where participants must complete the Half Marathon on Saturday, followed by the Marathon on Sunday to qualify for Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge medal.

More excitement awaits runners taking on the challenge of the Disney Marathon, which marks two decades of magical miles of Disney entertainment, one-of-a-kind medals and family memories. The 20th anniversary race will feature a new course routing through the Walt Disney World Speedway and Champion Stadium ballpark at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex; enhanced entertainment at Mile 20 to celebrate the 20th anniversary; a commemorative 20th anniversary Mickey Mouse medal and a new post-race party in Downtown Disney.

Interested runners can signup at RunDisney.com or Runnersworld.com or call 407-939-7781 for more information.

"We've planned 2013 to be the biggest year ever for the Runner's World Challenge, and we're excited to be collaborating with a great new partner for this kick off in January at Walt Disney World for the 20th anniversary Disney Marathon Weekend," said David Willey Runner's World Editor-in-Chief and Rodale Inc. Active Living Group General Manager.  "Our editors are already gearing up training plans, logging miles, and preparing for this unique event.  As with all of the Runner's World Challenges, our readers can count on receiving expert advice and personal engagement with our editors while training for this special weekend."

"The opportunity for our runners to have personal access to some of the leading minds in the running industry through the Runner's World Challenge is going to be hugely beneficial to anyone running our half marathon and marathon that weekend,'' said Faron Kelley, Director of Sports Marketing and Communication at Walt Disney World. "With so many races taking place around the country, partnering with the running experts at Runner's World will further differentiate our Disney Marathon Weekend and noticeably enhance the overall race weekend experience for the thousands of runners who are expected to participate in our 20th anniversary event next year."

Challenge participants will have exclusive access to a Challenge-only website where they can ask questions that will be answered by Runner's World editors. They can also share their best tips on nutrition, injury prevention, health issues and other essential training topics as they get ready to run at Disney.

This exclusive package created for participants in this special Runner's World Challenge weekend at Walt Disney World includes:

• Entry into the 20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon, Half Marathon or Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge with preferred corral placement
• Three night stay at Disney's Yacht or Beach Club Resort
• Private packet pick-up and hospitality suite at the resort
• Keepsake 20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend gift
• A Runner's World Challenge tech shirt
• Course strategy session with the Runner's World experts and editors
• Exclusive shakeout run with the Runner's World editors
• Entry to the Pasta in the Park Party on Saturday night Jan. 12 at Epcot® with Runner's World VIPs & editors
• Private transportation to and from the start and finish lines
• Entry to the Race Retreat which includes pre and post race hot and cold beverages, dedicated stretching area, and private portalets & bag check, post-race buffet, massage and live results
• Post-race celebration on Sunday night at the Cool Down at Downtown Disney

About runDisney

runDisney is a series of events 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 in February, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler in September and the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend in November.  Disneyland hosts the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend in January and the Disneyland Half Marathon in September during Labor Day Weekend.  More than 100,000 running enthusiasts participate in runDisney events each year. For more information, visit runDisney.com and follow us on Facebook (runDisney) and Twitter @runDisney.

About Runner's World

The mission of Rodale's Runner's World, recognized as the worldwide authority on running information, is to inform, advise and motivate runners of all ages and abilities. Named to Adweek's Hot List in 2011 and 2010, Runner's World aims to help runners achieve their personal health, fitness and performance goals while inspiring them with vivid, memorable storytelling. Runner's World offers the award-winning Runner's World Challenge, allowing readers to interact with editors while training for races and run races with the magazine's staff, and the brand recently launched the Runner's World Half Marathon and Running Festival, to be held in Bethlehem, PA, Oct. 19-21 (www.RunnersworldHalf.com). Runner's World publishes 15 international editions: Australia/New Zealand, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, The Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States. For up-to-date running news, visit www.runnersworld.com, and get instant updates on Twitter (@runnersworld) and Facebook (Runner's World Magazine). Runner's World is also available as a mobile app on the iPhone and iPad.

Contact:  David Tratner, Rodale Inc.
212-808-1358, [email protected]

Contact: Darrell Fry, Walt Disney World
407-566-5338, [email protected]

SOURCE Runner's World