During this years Disney World Half Marathon there was a very special simultaneous event taking place half way around the world. Known as runDisney Heroes, the Victory Base complex in Baghdad, Iraq hosted their own Half Marathon. The race in Bagdad was sponsored by Disney and the almost 500 service men and women that participated were awarded the same medals that finishers received in Orlando.
The race was organized by Air Force Major Devin Traynor, who was to run the race in Bagdad while his wife ran the race with us in Orlando. Before our race started we were treated to a satellite link video where the Major was able to converse with his wife and young daughter here in Disney World. Quite a touching moment to see them so excited to see and hear each other live.
The Major and his wife both had the same Garmin watch so they were able to synchronize to the GPS satellites an run ‘with’ each other. That is pretty awesome, running with a loved one half way around the globe. Congratulations to all the men and women who competed this year in Orlando and half way around the world.
I also found this awesome video with snippets of the whole Half Marathon experience. Lee Hoedl produced and posted it so thanks so much Lee. It gives you a feeling for where we ran, what the atmosphere was like and even the progression from very early morning to bright shiny Disney World day.