3 inspiring people running in the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend
The 25th annual Walt Disney World Marathon kicks off this weekend with more than 100,000 athletes and spectators expected to attend the event.
This year about 25,000 runners will participate in the actual marathon, but there are also Kids Races, a 5K, a 10K and a half marathon taking place this weekend (Jan. 4 to Jan. 7, 2018).
Everyone who runs has a story as to why they got into the sport. Some people run to lose weight, to become fit, for a sense of accomplishment, sense of freedom, happiness, purpose, or a myriad of other reasons.
Disney World Marathon stories
We want to introduce you to three people running this weekend with awe-inspiring stories as to why they are participating:
Georgia Cleland from Ruxton, Maryland
Cleland has been battling the lingering effects of the life-threatening acute lymphocytic leukemia since she was a child. Now at the age of 33, after going through intense treatments such as cranial radiation and chemotherapy, she has decided to try her first marathon.
She is now running with the organization, her father, Bruce Cleland, started 30 years ago to help raise money for blood cancer research in honor of Georgia.
Team in Training was started in 1988 when Bruce Cleland assembled a team to run the New York City Marathon. The group of 38 runners raised $322,00 and called themselves Team In Training. The organization is now the world’s largest endurance sports fundraising and training program, raising more than $1.5 billion for research to fight blood cancers.
Tony Randolph from Baltimore Maryland
Randolph, who will be running the 5K this weekend, has used to help him leave his homelessness and substance issues behind. He now has stable housing and owns his own landscaping business. The Back on My Feet organization helped Randolph get ahead. The national non-profit organization is supported by the Cigna Foundation, which sponsors the Disney World marathon. Back on My Feet combats homelessness through running and community support.
Bindu Panapalli from Glen Allen, Virgina
Panapalli is a lab technician and through her work has tried to help cancer patients for years. She is also a cancer survivor. Despite several surgical procedures and chemotherapy treatments over an 18-month period, she will be running the 10K this weekend. She is doing this as a testament to others who are trying to overcome similar challenges. When the race is complete she will return to her work and is also working toward a doctorate degree.
