2022 Walt Disney World Marathon Race Recap: Achilles’ Veterans Win Their Divisions
Earlier this January, several Achilles athletes participated in the 2022 Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. Athletes from around the world came together for a magical weekend that included a 5K, a half marathon and the full marathon.
Achilles was represented by 18 Freedom Team veterans and three former police officers from the Bogota, Colombia chapter. The Achilles Freedom Team program supports wounded, ill or injured members of the U.S. military in training and competing in endurance events. We congratulate all of the athletes, including those who placed in their respective divisions:
Retired U.S. Army Sergeant, Omar Duran, First in the men’s handcycle division in the half marathon
Retired U.S. Marine Sergeant, Zachary Stinson, Third in the pushrim division in the full marathon
Retired U.S.M.C. Staff Sergeant, Corey Peterson, Third in the pushrim division of the half marathon
The weekend at Disney also served as a place for our veterans to connect with old friends and their families. U.S. Marine Lance Corporal, Ben Maenza, was thrilled to see friends John Curtin (U.S.M.C. Lance Corporal) and Ronnie Brandafino (U.S.M.C. Corporal) whom he first met at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
“It's like some of us didn't miss a beat. We just had more kids and were a little older. It’s definitely therapeutic getting together, connecting with someone who understands you and then ultimately challenging each other to race and compete,” said Maenza.
Top row left to right: Ronnie Brandafino, Josh Craven, Marcus Hayward, Greg Sapp
Bottom row left to right: John Curtin, Ben Maenza, Omar Duran (1st place! HC in Half), Pete Rooney.
This was Aaron Hale’s first race since sustaining a minor injury after a 100-miler back in 2020. Hale, a former military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician who is blind and deaf, has been with Achilles since 2014.
“It’s always fun to get out and test yourself with a little 13.1 mile run. There’s no better place to do that than through the happiest place on Earth, but the part that was most special to me was and always has been connecting with the Achilles Freedom Team, the volunteers, sponsors, and fellow racers. The feeling of camaraderie is electric and contagious!” says Hale. “It was the perfect thing to focus on, train for, and look forward to. I’m most proud of getting back on the road after having my ‘wheels stuck in the mud.’”
Aaron Hale and his two guides pose at the finish line.
Thanks to the generosity of Freedom Team presenting sponsor Cigna, athletes enjoyed a stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom themed hotel, park passes and a private park experience complete with a special performance of The Lion King and Avatar ride access. Our sponsor GM Military Discount also hosted our Freedom Team-ers to a test-track ride, dinner, and VIP seating for a fireworks display.
Brandafino brought his whole family along for the weekend.
“This was my children's first time at Disney World and it is, as they say, the ‘most magical place on earth.’ Seeing it through my kid’s eyes made it all the more special!” he says.
The 2022 Walt Disney World Marathon was a magical kickoff to what will be a bright year ahead for the Achilles community.
