Marathon

Set those alarms, because the Disney World Marathon is almost here. And it's starting a bit earlier this year.

On Sunday, the 27th annual Disney World Marathon will take place, with the race beginning at 5 a.m. ET, 30 minutes earlier than past years. There are also several other changes to the race, so participants and spectators alike will want to be prepared before Sunday morning arrives.

There will be more than 75,000 runners participating, representing more than 72 countries, with the 26.2-mile course taking them through Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

Here's everything you need to know about this year's edition of the Disney World Marathon in Florida.

                 

Event Information

When: Sunday, Jan. 12

Start time: 5 a.m. ET

Course map: Available on RunDisney.com.

           

For runners who have participated in the race before, they will notice some changes to this year's course.

Race participants will now run through Blizzard Beach. They will also spend more time running inside Epcot and less on the roads outside the parks. Those should be welcome changes, as it will showcase even more of what Disney World has to offer during the race.

The marathon used to feature a route through Blizzard Beach from 1995 to 1998, but that portion was replaced following a redesign in 1999.

Another change for race participants is a new outdoor-exclusive area where they can take pictures, pick up gear, stretch and recover. While spectators won't have access to that area, there are new ChEAR Squad packages that offer access to the race's finish line and a popular Magic Kingdom viewing location, along with other amenities.

Those changes and additions will be great for race participants and spectators. However, one thing that may not be so great is the weather.

On Thursday morning, runDisney issued a weather advisory for the weekend because of the warm temperatures and high humidity expected throughout the weekend, including for Sunday morning's race. Runners are encouraged to stay hydrated, choose light clothing/costumes and to slow down if experiencing any symptoms of heat illness.

According to The Weather Channel, the high temperature for Orlando on Sunday is expected to be 85 degrees Fahrenheit with 71 percent humidity.

The Disney World Marathon has been taking place annually since 1994. The weekend has featured a 5K, a 10K, a half-marathon and the full marathon since 2006.

Last year, Fredison Costa of Brazil won the race on the men's side for the fifth time in six years, completing the course in 2 hours, 18 minutes and 45 seconds. The men's record of 2:11:50 was set by Leonid Shvetsov of Russia in 1995.

Giovanna Martins of Brazil has won the marathon on the women's side three straight years and four of the past five. She finished the course in 2:45:24 last year. The women's record of 2:31:54 was set by Judit Nagy of Hungary in 1995.

But this race isn't just about the competition. Many participants will be dressed up as their favorite Disney characters for the race, so there should be fun for all throughout the weekend in Orlando.

New York's Diriba Degefa Yigezu won the men's division of the Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday morning, coming in with a time of 2:16:30. 

Diriba Degefa Yigezu wins the Philadelphia Marathon with a time of 2:16:30.

He finished in third place a year ago. pic.twitter.com/R0vJjB4ase

— Graham Foley (@graham_foley3) November 24, 2019

Yigezu held off a number of contenders, including Albuquerque's Milton Rotich (2:18:47), Minneapolis' Connor Reck (2:19:27), New York's Urgesa Kedir Figa (2:19:39) and Astoria's Chase Pizzonia (2:20:25).

"It feels really good, I trained really hard," Yigezu told Graham Foley of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "The rain made it very hard but I got through ... it just feels so good."

On the women's side, New York's Feyne Gudeto Gemeda set a course record with a time of 2:32:48.

Feyne Gudeto Gemeda finished first in the female category of the Philadelphia Marathon with a course-record time of 2:32:48. She beat the record by three seconds. pic.twitter.com/QnVggy6rrW

— Graham Foley (@graham_foley3) November 24, 2019

She obliterated the field, finishing well ahead of Toledo's Viola Bor (2:39:58), Cherry Hill's Katie Rodden (2:40:47), Quebec's Anne-Marie Comeau (2:41:09) and Jersey City's Allison Goldstein (2:44:10).

"I'm very happy with the record," Gemeda told Foley. "I was training very hard. I was pushing to run under 2:32 but the rain and wind was very challenging so I'm happy with how I finished."

Frankly, just participating in the race on a rainy and cold Philadelphia morning was impressive enough, with temperatures below 40 degrees. That didn't seem to ruin the atmosphere among the runners and spectators.

A happy atmosphere as runners stream down 6th Street for the Philadelphia Marathon, the choir of Mother Bethel AME church singing on the corner. The church used to reschedule services because of the run, but now they sing to runners, many of whom are waving and cheering back pic.twitter.com/htvxbe7L5S

— Justine McDaniel (@McDanielJustine) November 24, 2019

Love the Philadelphia Marathon! The weather is terrible but the runners are amazing. Here are the elite runners at 21st and Chestnut. pic.twitter.com/odIsebSrMx

— Nikka (@nikkathatcher) November 24, 2019

And thousands braved the elements on Philadelphia's relatively flat course. If you have the mental fortitude to compete in a marathon, it seems having the mental fortitude to compete in a marathon in rainy and cold conditions is a given. 

The Philadelphia Marathon may not be as old as similar events held around the country, but it's an event with plenty of history.

That's because the race takes participants through the streets of Philadelphia and past historic landmarks, such as Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Liberty Bell Center. Runners will go through neighborhoods and along waterfronts during the marathon.

With the race getting closer, here's everything you need to know about this year's edition of the Philadelphia Marathon.

       

Event Information

When: Sunday, Nov. 24

Start time: 7 a.m. ET

Course map: Available on PhiladelphiaMarathon.com

Road closures: There will be streets closed around the city all weekend, beginning on Friday. For more information, visit PhiladelphiaMarathon.com.

         

The Philadelphia Marathon was established in 1954, but it's only been a City of Philadelphia-managed race held exclusively within city limits since 1994.

The marathon brings in about 30,000 runners each year, coming from all 50 states and numerous countries around the world. There will also be plenty of people coming to watch and cheer on the participants, so Philadelphia will likely be filled for this weekend's event.

The course for the marathon is the standard 26.2 miles.

This year's race could be chilly and wet for participants. According to Weather.com, Sunday's high temperature will be 47 degrees Fahrenheit with a 70-percent chance of morning rain showers. It is also likely to rain Saturday evening and night, which could make the course already damp heading into Sunday morning.

Last year, new race records (since 1994) were set on both the men's and women's sides. For the men, Tadesse Dabi of Ethiopia completed the race in 2 hours, 14 minutes and 47 seconds. Ethiopia's Abrha Serkalem Biset finished in 2:32:53 to set the women's record.

The winner of the marathon receives $10,000, while those who finish second ($5,000), third ($2,500), fourth ($1,500) and fifth ($1,000) also get cash prizes. There will also be prize money awarded to the first Philadelphian male and female, with each winning $1,000, as well as those who finish first in the master and wheelchair divisions, who will each receive $1,000.

There's also a $1,500 bonus for setting a course record.

The marathon isn't the only race that will take place at the Philadelphia event this weekend. There's also a half marathon, an 8K and a kids fun run on Saturday. Those races will take place throughout the morning, getting the weekend off to a fun start.

As always, it should be an exciting weekend for those who participate and attend, and it will officially begin when runners start to arrive in Philadelphia on Friday.

Las Vegas is known for its casinos, lights and various forms of entertainment, but for one night only, the Strip was partially transformed into a marathon course as runners from around the globe converged on the city to race.

In the end, Heather Bray and Tommy Rivers Puzey emerged as Vegas' biggest victors Sunday at the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 @Humana #RnRVegas Marathon & 1/2 Marathon!

Marathon:
Heather Bray 3:13:00
Tommy Rivers Puzey 2:28:04

Half Marathon:
Brittney Feivor 1:13:20
Tyler Day 1:03:48 pic.twitter.com/nK6aP4G6nQ

— Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series (@RunRocknRoll) November 18, 2019

     

Women's Top Finishers

1. Heather Bray (3:13:00)

2. Emily Rollins (3:19:42)

3. Jennifer Creps (3:25:11)

4. Kristina Nikolova (3:29:00)

5. Stephanie Kortan (3:30:10)

Source: track.rtrt.me

     

Men's Top Finishers

1. Tommy Rivers Puzey (2:28:04)

2. Jacob Krolick (2:31:25)

3. Meng-Tsung Chu (2:32:09)

4. Adam Cordell (2:41:58)

5. Markus Nett (2:43:59)

Source: track.rtrt.me

Nothing shook up Bray as she cruised to an easy win in an Elvis Presley costume:

ELVIS HAS CROSS THE FINISH LINE: Congratulations to Heather Bray on winning the women's Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon → https://t.co/Cv6I9Z2WAq pic.twitter.com/q69LNbDtAz

— Las Vegas Review-Journal (@reviewjournal) November 18, 2019

Bray, a runner, lawyer and mother who now lives in Amsterdam, beat second-place finisher Emily Rollins by 6:42. She had the best time at the 6.2-mile mark and never looked back as she slowly extended the gap between her and the field.

The Las Vegas Marathon winner, who averaged 7:22 per mile, is also an accomplished world-record hula hoop runner.

On the men's side, Puzey won his second consecutive Las Vegas Marathon thanks to a time of 2:28:04, beating second-place finisher Jacob Krolick and third-place runner Meng-Tsung Chu.

Puzey, a professional runner from Flagstaff, Arizona, ran an average of 5:40 per mile.

The top three finishers all competed in the event's elite marathon division.

Adam Cordell was the top marathon runner outside the elite group, ending his race with a time of 2:41:58. That mark was good enough for fourth overall, regardless of division. Markus Nett rounded out the top five.

The Las Vegas Marathon is part of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon series, with races scheduled around the world at least once a month through November 2020. The most recent event took place in Chengdu, the capital of China's Sichuan province. A two-day event occurring in Cancun, Mexico, on December 6 and 7 is up next.

The Vegas rendition consists of a full marathon, half marathon, 10-kilometer and five-kilometer races.

The race shut down parts of the Las Vegas Strip, per Ricardo Torres-Cortez of the Las Vegas Sun, with the event finishing on Las Vegas Blvd. at The Mirage.

Most marathons take place in the morning and go through many streets of a big city. The Las Vegas Marathon is much different.

Starting in the evening on Sunday instead, this race primarily occurs on the main stretch of the Las Vegas strip. It may be unorthodox, but that's part of what makes this event a unique attraction for runners from around the world.

Here's everything you need to know about this year's edition of the Las Vegas Marathon.

       

Event Information

When: Sunday, Nov. 17

Start time: 4:30 p.m. PT

Course map: Available on RunRockNRoll.com

Road closures: In addition to the Las Vegas strip being shut down, there will be road closures around the city, many of which will be in effect from 2:30 p.m.-11 p.m. ET. For more information, visit RunRockNRoll.com.

        

Over the weekend, there will be numerous events going on for participants, including multiple races, live entertainment—including a private Saturday night concert by Kesha—and more. But the main event will be Sunday evening's marathon race.

There should be great weather for Sunday's race, so racing conditions shouldn't be an issue. According to Weather.com, the high temperature for Las Vegas on Sunday will be 77 degrees Fahrenheit. It will be sunny with no chance of precipitation and only slight wind.

The marathon has a five-hour time limit, but the top finishers should finish in less than three hours. Last year, the winner on the men's side was Thomas Puzey of the United States, who completed the course in 2 hours, 25 minutes and 53 seconds. The women's winner was Hannah McInturff of the United States, who finished in 3:07:24.

The men's record for the race is 2:11:58 set by Stephen Kiogora of Kenya in 2005. The women's record is 2:29:01 set by Sylvia Skvortsova of Russia in 2007.

In future years, there will be more opportunities for participants to enjoy the run down the Las Vegas strip. That's because the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Board of Directors recently approved a second marathon that will take place in the spring beginning in 2021.

"We've actually been talking to the owners of the race for a few years about adding a second race because of the success of the first," LVCVA vice president of marketing Fletch Brunelle said, according to Richard N. Velotta of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Instead of taking place on a Sunday night, this second spring race will occur on a Saturday night, which could potentially allow for more participants. So, for people who haven't yet had the opportunity to take part in or attend a cool, unique marathon experience, there will be more chances in years to come.  

Geoffrey Kamworor and Joyciline Jepkosgei, both of Kenya, took home the men's and women's races at the 2019 New York Marathon on Sunday.

Kamworor took home his second New York Marathon in the last three years, finishing with a time of 2:08:13. He is the 10th man in history to win at least twice at the event. Albert Korir, also of Kenya, finished in second place. 

BREAKING: Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor reclaims the #NYCMarathon title in 02:08:13 with Albert Korir coming in second #NewYorkMarathon2019 🇰🇪 pic.twitter.com/CZlyY5k1WV

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) November 3, 2019

Defending men's champion Lelisa Desisa dropped out of the race in the seventh mile. Desisa was coming off a victory at the world championships last month. 

"From the start of the race, I was feeling OK," Kamworor said. "I was comfortable. I prepared very well to run this marathon. Throughout the last few meters, the pace was somewhat high, and it wasn't a problem for me. That's when I decided to pull away."

While he's still young at age 26, Kamworor is a cagy veteran in comparison to Jepkosgei, who took home the women's side in 2:22:38 in her first-ever marathon. Jepkosgei beat out countrywoman Mary Keitany, who was looking for her fifth New York Marathon championship.

UPDATE: 35KM into the Pro Women’s race and Joyciline Jepkosgei – KEN 🇰🇪 is in the lead followed closely by Mary Keitany – KEN 🇰🇪. #NYCMarathon #NewYorkMarathon2019 pic.twitter.com/VdmmSwbeUP

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) November 3, 2019

"My strategy I had planned was to finish the race strong," Jepkosgei said. "But in the last kilometers, I saw that I was approaching the finish line and I was capable of winning."

The times reflected a race that was run under borderline ideal conditions. Jepkosgei's time was the second-fastest for a woman in history.

No Americans finished in the top five in either race, but both races did feature a sixth-place finisher for the United States. Jared Ward was the sixth-place finisher on the men's side, while Des Linden did the same among the women. 

For the second time in three years, Kenya's Geoffrey Kamworor won the men's division at the New York Marathon.

The 2017 winner came in with a time of 2:08:13, edging out a group of runners that included Albert Korir (2:08:36) and Girma Gebre (2:08:38).

.@GKamworor 🇰🇪 is 🔙🔛🔝! He is once again your #TCSNYCMarathon champion in the men’s open division! pic.twitter.com/EcxPKCNQOw

— TCS New York City Marathon (@nycmarathon) November 3, 2019

On the women's side, meanwhile, Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei defeated her countrywoman and defending champion Mary Keitany with a time of 2:22:38, missing a course record by seven seconds. Jepkosgei was dominant, beating Keitany (2:23:32) by nearly a minute. 

In her marathon debut, with the second fastest time ever by a woman in the open division, Joyciline Jepkosgei 🇰🇪 is your 2019 #TCSNYCMarathon champion! pic.twitter.com/d7vZD1Q8Cy

— TCS New York City Marathon (@nycmarathon) November 3, 2019

Joyciline Jepkosgei 🇰🇪 is your 2019 #TCSNYCMarathon champion in the women’s open division!

This follows her win at the #UnitedNYCHalf in March! pic.twitter.com/kTOaf6bibT

— TCS New York City Marathon (@nycmarathon) November 3, 2019

Beating Keitany was no small feat—she was not only the defending champion, but had also won four of the past five events. Jepkosgei, meanwhile, was running her first marathon.

Not too shabby for a debut.

As for Americans in the race, Jared Ward (2:10:45) was the top United States finisher among the men, coming in sixth, while Des Linden (2:26:49) also finished in sixth for the women. It was Linden who set a blistering pace for the women, leaving only herself, Keitany, Jepkosgei, Ruti Aga and Mary Ngugi in contention at the 12-mile mark.

She couldn't keep that pace going, however, and was reeled in by Jepkosgei.

On the men's side, defending champion Lelisa Desisa dropped out after just seven miles, opening up the race to Kamworor.

With his 2nd #TCSNYCMarathon victory, @GKamworor🇰🇪 is your 2019 men's open division champion! pic.twitter.com/mo39OzhOTo

— TCS New York City Marathon (@nycmarathon) November 3, 2019

The race also featured a number of notable athletes and celebrities participating, including former NFL players Tiki Barber and Jason Sehorn, actors Uzo Aduba, Luke Kirby, Joanne Tucker, Good Morning America's Amy Robach and Broadway star Christy Altomare.

Former @Giants running back and current @TeamforKids Ambassador @TikiBarber is running his 6th consecutive #TCSNYCMarathon! pic.twitter.com/NqQUns7V9a

— TCS New York City Marathon (@nycmarathon) November 3, 2019

"Running is an individual sport but it is a collective activity," Barber said on Friday, per ABC7NY.com. "You encourage everyone around you. If someone is struggling, you encourage them along. Again—none of us is winning—it's the guys out front, so it's just finish."

The 2019 New York Marathon takes place on Sunday and will see plenty of top celebrities join some of the world's best athletes in making their way around the 26.2-mile route.

Many of the famous faces are not just out to showcase their athletic ability, but also to use the marathon to raise money for charities and draw awareness to causes close to their hearts.

Here are some of the top stars to look out for during Sunday's event in the Big Apple.

    

Uzo Aduba, Actress

Uzo Aduba is no stranger to marathons and the Orange is the New Black star will lace up her running shoes on Sunday for a third time.

The 38-year-old completed the New York Marathon in 2013 and the Boston Marathon two years later, and talked about her experiences in July when she appeared on Live with Kelly and Ryan:

Aduba completed the Boston Marathon in an impressive time of five hours and three minutes and said competing in the race felt "like the right thing to do," per People.

The actress will be supporting the charity Stand Up to Cancer, a fund-raising organisation that aims to increase progress in life-saving cancer research.

  

Tyler Cameron, Star of The Bachelorette

Tyler Cameron is running the New York Marathon in support of ABC Food Tours. The company aims to feed and educate kids in underserved communities.

The 26-year-old played college football for four years at Wake Forest, Florida Atlantic University and the Baltimore Ravens, which should stand him in good stead.

Cameron warmed up for Sunday's big event by running the Chicago Marathon in October and finished in a time of four hours and 45 minutes, according to Michele Corriston at People.

The reality star has told Jay Willis at GQ that his passion for running was sparked when his father suffered an illness, and he is hopeful of competing Sunday's marathon in under four hours.

     

Ryan Briscoe, Racing driver

Ryan Briscoe is no stranger to racing, having driven in IndyCar for a decade before moving on to the American Le Mans Series, but will not be the fastest man on Sunday.

The Australian-born driver has spent the last four seasons on the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship circuit but revealed his intention to run in New York back in May:

Very cool to meet @robertomandje this morning for a jog in Central Park as we took my first steps in preparing for the @nycmarathon later this year! •
•
•#nyrr #nyrrcenter #nycmarathontraining #running #runner… https://t.co/0xjGo6s7Gs

— Ryan Briscoe (@Ryan_Briscoe) May 15, 2019

Briscoe has spoken about his motivation to run the race after watching the New York Marathon two years ago, per Martin Rogers at Fox Sports:

"That sense of pride of having finished it, of knowing it's the culmination of all these months of preparation, of having reached something you didn’t know you could do, while having all these incredible strangers cheering you on. When I got a taste of it, that was it. I had to do it … or at least try."

Briscoe will be supporting the NYRR Team for Kids, which aims to bring fitness programs and free running to students across America.

   

Kikkan Randall, Olympic skier

Kikkan Randall claimed gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang but was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer just three months later.

The five-time Olympian underwent surgery and chemotherapy and will run the New York Marathon just a year after her treatment:

https://twitter.com/olympicchannel/status/1184052059013894144

Randall told Nick Zaccardi at NBC Sports that she is "pretty confident I'm cancer-free" and spoke about her motivation to take part in the marathon.

"It's my way to celebrate what I can do, being grateful that my treatment has gone so well and in tribute to those who fought hard and did everything they could but ultimately didn't get the positive outcome like I've had."

The American is hoping to finish in under three hours and will be running in support of Norwegian organisation AKTIV Against Cancer.

Jordan Tropf and Brittany Charboneau took home the men's and women's divisions, respectively, at the 2019 Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday.

Tropf, 27, finished with a time of 2:27:43. He previously won the Big Sur Marathon in May and overcame wet conditions Sunday.

An M2A1 Howitzer will go off, and the runners will begin racing from the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery to the Marine Corps War Memorial on Sunday for the 44th Marine Corps Marathon.

The race will be one of numerous events taking place, with the 26.2-mile marathon attracting many of the thousands of participants and spectators who will be in attendance. The marathon is the largest in the world that doesn't award prize money. Instead, this race is The People's Marathon, taking runners through a great course around Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Virginia.

There will be runners from all 50 states and more than 60 countries in this year's marathon field.

                 

2019 Marine Corps Marathon Information

When: Sunday, Oct. 27

Start time: 7:55 a.m. ET

Course map: Available on MarineMarathon.com

Road closures: Many roads will be affected because of the races, with some closing as early as 3 a.m. and not reopening until 5 p.m. The full list of closures can be found on the event's official website.

                    

In addition to the Marine Corps Marathon, there will also be 10K and 50K races taking place. Those participating in the 50K race, which is 31.25 miles, will start at 7:30 a.m. and will encompass the entire Marine Corps Marathon course and more.

When the Marine Corps Marathon begins, not only will the cannon signal the start of the race, but there will be the color guard, a playing of the national anthem, special guests and flags from all the countries represented in the race field.

In the afternoon, there will be an awards ceremony for each race and a finish festival at the Marine Corps War Memorial, which will feature live musical performances.

Last year's Marine Corps Marathon winner on the men's side was Jeffrey Stein of the United States, who finished the race in 2 hours, 22 minutes and 49 seconds. The men's record is 2:14:01, which was set by Jeff Scuffins of the United States in 1987.

Jenny Mendez of Costa Rica was the winner on the women's side last year, finishing in 2:40:19. The women's record is 2:37:00, which was set by Russia's Olga Markova in 1990.

But the marathon isn't just for those participating in the race. It's also a fun event for spectators, who will have five locations along the race course to watch and support the runners. Two of those spots are at the start and finish lines.

However, weather may not be the best for this year's race. According to the Weather Channel, there is a 100 percent chance of morning thundershowers, which will turn to partly cloudy skies. Sunday's high temperature is expected to be 77 degrees Fahrenheit, making it one of the warmer days in the 10-day forecast.

Even with that high chance of rain, the Marine Corps Marathon runners and spectators alike should have a great time, as thousands will once again gather to honor the Marines while participating in a fun event.