LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — In her first-ever marathon, a Grand Rapids woman took home the women's title during the Walt Disney World Marathon in Florida.
Stephanie Muscat, who is originally from England, crossed the finish line with a massive five-minute gap between her time—2:48:08—and the second-place finish at 2:53:12.
This was the first marathon Muscat took on.
"I wanted Walt Disney World Marathon to be my first marathon because it feels like home to me here," Muscat said after finishing the race. "I grew up coming to Disney since I was 3 or 4 years old."
Muscat previously swam competitively in college and had never dreamed of training for and finishing a marathon.
"I never thought I would run a marathon," she said. "It was never on my list...I just love Disney, it's like a second home, so being able to come here in win and do it in the most magical place on earth is so special."
When she wrapped up the race, she said
"I was about to burst into tears, I absolutely couldn't believe it...I didn't think that my legs would carry me that whole way, but I trusted the training and the process and couldn't believe it," she said.
In the men's division, Vanilson Neves of Brazil took home his second win at the Walt Disney World Marathon, and Brian Siemann of Illinois won the wheelchair division.
Competitors were able to celebrate their wins afterward by exploring the park. The weekend full of events also included a 5K, 10K, a half marathon, marathon and a health and fitness expo.
More races will be held soon, like the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend at Disneyland Resort in California the weekend of Jan. 11 followed by the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend the weekend of Feb. 22 at Walt Disney World Resort.
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