Matt Hensley claims elusive victory at 2026 Walt Disney World Marathon
For Matt Hensley, the road to the winner’s circle at the Walt Disney World Marathon this past weekend was a long-distance pursuit years in the making. On Sunday morning, that chase finally ended in triumph.
After a string of top-10 finishes in previous years, the Superior, Colorado, native finally secured the first-place finish that had long eluded him. Following his victory, Hensley didn’t hesitate to channel the legends of the gridiron.
“I’ve always wanted to do that,” Hensley remarked, echoing the iconic post-Super Bowl refrain: “I’m going to Disney World!”
Under a clear Florida sky, Hensley executed a patient race strategy. While others pushed the pace early, Hensley remained tucked within the lead pack, conserving energy for the grueling final miles. The tactical move paid dividends as he broke away late in the race to post a winning time of 2:29:37.
Hensley’s performance left him with a comfortable margin over the rest of the podium:
- 1st Place: Matt Hensley from Superior, Colorado – 2:29:37
- 2nd Place: Bryan Case from Norfolk, Virginia – 2:34:59
- 3rd Place: Sean O’Bryan from Arlington, Texas – 2:36:40
The victory served as a milestone for the entire Hensley family. The runner’s history with the event stretches back to the 1990s when his father first competed in the marathon’s early years.
“To come back here this year and get the win is so exciting,” Hensley said, noting that the family had previously competed together as a group of seven in 2012. After recovering from the 26.2-mile trek through all four Disney theme parks, the Hensley family spent the afternoon celebrating at Magic Kingdom.
Charboneau Returns to the Top
In the women’s division, Brittany Charboneau of Denver, Colorado, proved once again why she is a force to be reckoned with at Walt Disney World. Charboneau, who famously swept all four weekend races in 2022, claimed the top spot with a time of 2:54:48.
Charboneau managed to balance elite competition with the “magic” of the course, even pausing briefly during her run to snap a photo with a Disney character.
The top finishers in the women’s division are:
- Brittany Charboneau, from Denver Colorado – 2:54:48
- Haley Chura, from Bozeman, Montana – 2:59:36
- Sadie Smith, from Kirkwood, Missouri – 3:02:31
Wheelchair Division Results
The wheelchair divisions also saw dominant performances. Brian Siemann of Savoy, Illinois, took home the men’s title with a brisk 1:54:17, while Heather Sealover of Clermont, Florida, defended her home-state turf to win the women’s division in 2:12:41.
