Posted: August 11, 2004

Athletics: Walt Disney World Marathon to Host Military Division for First Time in 2005

Military Division To Become Part of All Disney's Endurance Series Events

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - (August 11, 2004) - Disney Sports Attractions, Inc., has announced the addition of a Military Division for the upcoming 2005 Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend. The division will be open to male and female competitors representing all branches of the armed services - Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy. Race results will detail the age group winners and top male and female military athletes. In addition to the Walt Disney World Marathon, plans have also been announced to include a Military Division in all Disney's Endurance Series events throughout the year, including triathlons, road races and other events.

"We are excited to add a Military Division to the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon in recognition of the men and women of the armed services who sacrifice their lives everyday in the name of freedom," adds Jon Hughes, race director for the Walt Disney World Marathon. "Adding this new element to the Marathon and other Disney's Endurance Series events is sure to attract top male and female runners who will enjoy being with their families at Walt Disney World while also testing their own fitness and endurance in one of the nation's top marathon events."

The action packed 2005 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend will feature: Disney's Health & Fitness Expo presented by TYLENOL® 8-Hour (Jan. 7-8), the Family Fun Run 5K and Kids' Races (Jan. 8), and the Marathon and Half Marathon (Jan. 9). Registration remains open for both the Marathon and Half Marathon. Both races will include 12,000 participants for a total of 24,000 competitors.

The WALT DISNEY WORLD Marathon and Half Marathon will start at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 9, 2005. The course will take runners through Epcot® and the Magic Kingdom® Park, to a magical finish. Active, reserve or retired members of the military are invited to participate in the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Marathon Weekend as part of the new military division. Qualified members can participate in the following categories: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, or Navy. Military personnel who have already registered for the WALT DISNEY WORLD Marathon or Half Marathon and would like to join a military division are encouraged to send an email to emmi2@emmi.com, providing their name, address and military division.

Entry into the WALT DISNEY WORLD Marathon is $95 and $80 for the Half Marathon. Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, and race day registration is not available. Registration fee includes race entry, a commemorative race program, shirt and a recap CD-rom, transportation throughout WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort property throughout the race weekend and entry into the Post Race Celebration and Awards Ceremony.

All athletes participating in the Marathon and Half Marathon must be able to maintain a 16-minute per mile pace, finishing the Marathon in seven hours and the Half Marathon in 3˝ hours. Anyone not able to maintain a 16-minute per mile pace will be picked up and transported to the finish. To register for this event, log onto disneyworldsports.com and click on the "Register" button and follow the steps to register on-line or call (407) 939-7810, option 4, to have a registration form mailed to you. Everyone who registers on-line will receive monthly email updates from the WALT DISNEY WORLD Marathon Weekend staff!

For more information, visit www.disneyworldsports.com.