Brazilian continues his successful run
First-time mom also wins
For the third time in four years, Marcelo Avelar of Brazil walked away from the Walt Disney World Half Marathon on Saturday morning with the same feeling.
“I am very said.
Victory tends to do that to a runner. Avelar crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 8 minutes, 54 seconds, more than three minutes ahead of runner-up Jeff Martinez (1:12:00).
Tina Muir, an Englishwoman living in Lexington, Ky., experienced a similar emotion. Racing for the first time since the birth of her first child, Muir prevailed in 1:19:45.
“It is difficult when you are in the lead not to get caught up with paces and chasing times, but I still wanted to make my goal to enjoy it,” Muir said. “I made sure to smile as much as I could.”
More than 18,400 runners and walkers finished the half marathon.
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend will conclude Sunday with the 26th annual marathon. About 15,000 runners are registered for the race, which will start at 5:30 a.m. and begin and end at Epcot.
Avelar, 34, will be there. It will be his fourth race in four days as part of the Dopey Challenge.
He potentially happy,” Avelar could be a four-time reigning champion in the half marathon, if not for the weather. Inclement conditions canceled the Disney World Half Marathon in 2017. Speaking of the weather … “It is very, very hot in Brazil now,” Avelar said. “Here is too cold and no good. Today is good weather. That is better for me.”
Muir led the entire way. She outlasted runner-up Megan Curham, who finished in 1:12:58.
Muir, 30, stepped away from running to become pregnant. An elite runner who said she has competed in World Championships and European Championships, Muir left a key part of her behind.
She never knew she would return.
“I did find that I missed running,” Muir said. “Life is a little hectic with a baby. I did a lot of my training with pushing her in a stroller. I did a lot of my runs kind of here, there and everywhere.”
Bailey, her 11-month-old daughter, made the difference.
“Standing on the start line, I could reflect back on what I’d been through,” Muir said. “I could think of her in moments of struggle. When I got across the finish line, I could look forward to seeing her and know that no matter what happened, she was going to be there for me.” whether
Walt Disney World Half Marathon
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