Bart Yasso of Runner's World at the Exposition for the ING Miami Marathon.

ING Miami Marathon
Miami, Florida
Sunday, January 25, 2009

I race walked the ING Miami Marathon in Miami, Florida on Sunday, January 25, 2009. The event has been held for seven years and I have finished the marathon each year. The weather was warm as usual, 64 to 75 degrees, with little wind and mostly sunny skies. The course was completely closed to traffic and the police did an excellent job in controlling cross traffic to ensure everyone’s safety. Water/Gatorade stations were located every mile beginning with mile 3 and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. There were many spectators along the route cheering for the competitors. As normal the event was well organized and a pleasure to do.

Galvaston, Texas, four months after Hurricane Ike #7

Galvaston, Texas, four months after Hurricane Ike #6

Galvaston, Texas, four months after Hurricane Ike #5

Galvaston, Texas, four months after Hurricane Ike #4

Galvaston, Texas, four months after Hurricane Ike #3

Galvaston, Texas, four months after Hurricane Ike #2

Galvaston, Texas, four months after Hurricane Ike #1

Galvaston, Texas #12

Galvaston, Texas #11

Galvaston, Texas #10

Galvaston, Texas #9

Galvaston, Texas #8

Galvaston, Texas #7

Galvaston, Texas #6

Galvaston, Texas #5

Galvaston, Texas #4

Galvaston, Texas #3

Galvaston, Texas #2

Galvaston, Texas #1

Houston, Texas

Bart Yasso of Runner's World at the Exposition for the ING Miami Marathon.

Kissimmee, Florida

Disney World, Florida #6

Disney World, Florida #5

Disney World, Florida #4

Disney World, Florida #3

Disney World, Florida #2

Disney World, Florida #1

Disney World Goofy Challenge
Disney World Half Marathon
Saturday, January 10, 2009
and
Disney World Marathon
Sunday, January 11, 2009

The Disney World Goofy Challenge has been in existence for four years and I have race-walked the event each year. The Goofy Challenge consists of completing the Disney World Half Marathon on Saturday, January 10, 2009 and the Disney World Marathon on Sunday, January 11, 2009. I received three finisher's medals --- a Donald Medal for completing the Half Marathon, a Mickey Medal for completing the Marathon, and a Goofy medal for completing the challenge of doing both. I love doing races at Disney World. Their races are better organized than any other race. The courses are never opened to traffic. Water/Powerade stations are located every 2 miles for the first part of a race, then every mile for the second part. Spectators are everywhere and cheer for everyone. The course goes through the Theme Parks as much as possible and uses the Disney connecting roads for the rest of the course. This is the eighth consecutive year that I did the Marathon. The 2002 event was the first Marathon I ever race-walked.
There was a very large amount of Team in Training participants from the Keys and South Florida who successfully completed their event and I wish to offer congratulations to them for their accomplishment and raising so much money for charity. The Disney Marathon Weekend raises many millions of dollars for charities.
The Disney event is designed to be fun for all. There is no prize money for elite athletes. I enjoyed myself completely as always.

Ft. Barrancas, Pensacola, Florida #3

Ft. Barrancas, Pensacola, Florida #2

Ft. Barrancas, Pensacola, Florida #1

Pensacola Lighthouse, Pensacola, Florida

National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida #11

National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida #10

National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida #9

National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida #8

National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida #7

National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida #6

National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida #5

National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida #4

National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida #3

National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida #2

National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida #1

Mobile, Alabama #4

Mobile, Alabama #3

Mobile, Alabama #2

Mobile, Alabama #1

Jackson, Mississippi #10

Jackson, Mississippi #9