Lisa Ngai women's champion; over 3,000 runners participated in the inaugural nighttime race
From Marques Edge
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - (Sept. 27, 2008) - Looking to test themselves beyond just physical endurance, more than 3,000 runners participated in the inaugural Expedition Everest Challenge presented by Champion. The event, which took place Saturday night at Disney's Animal Kingdom, is the first urban adventure race among Disney's Endurance Series and offered a rare combination of physical and mental challenges that required competitors to be quick on their feet - literally and figuratively.
Thomas Kish, 37 of Woodstock, Ga., took home top honors as he finished the course in 45 minutes, 22 seconds - besting the nearest competitor by over three minutes. Jeff Mara (Port Orange, Fla.) crossed the line in second with a time of 48:49 and David Williams, 44, of Orlando finished third (50:18).
Lisa Ngai, of Scottsdale, Ariz., won the women's division by nearly four minutes. The 25-year-old won in 48:04 and was the only female competitor to finish under 50 minutes. Mylene Dally, 37, of Winter Park, Fla. crossed the line second in 52:09, while Julie Antonacci, 38, of Jacksonville, Fla. rounded out the top 3 with her 52:42.
In the men's team division, the Tampa Bay Boys, which included Chad Farmer and Matt Achman of Tampa led the pack crossing the finish line at 47:01. Christy Wise and Heidi McBride from Boca Raton, Fla., who comprised Baby Boot Camp, won the women's team division in a time of 47:25. The Hot Coffeys, Jack Coffey and Beth Scanlan, also from Tampa, Fla., won the co-ed team division in 42:31.
Beginning with a 5K run through the theme park, the racers transitioned to an obstacle course and finished with a scavenger hunt that required a "passport," creating the ultimate test of physical stamina as well as intellectual endurance along with a traditional dose of Disney magic. At the finish, each participant received a commemorative medal shaped like a compass.
The athletes, along with family and friends, were also able to enjoy an exclusive post-race party at Disney's Animal Kingdom that featured a deejay and provided them with the opportunity to take exclusive rides aboard Expedition Everest, Dinoland and Khali River Rapids attractions.
The Expedition Everest Challenge is one of the many races part of the Endurance Series at Walt Disney World Resort, which includes marathons, road races, adventure races and triathlons for all ages and skill levels that give recreational athletes the chance to walk, jog, run, bike, swim and roll their way "around the world" of the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort often to raise donations for charitable causes.
Popular Endurance Series events are the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon (January), Disney's Princess Half Marathon (March), Disney's Race for the Taste 10K (October) and the Tower of Terror 13K (October).
For more information on Endurance Series events at Walt Disney World Resort, visit: DisneySports.com/endurance.
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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