Sonja Friend-Uhl claims Go Red for Women 5K title; third Minnie Marathon Weekend draws more than 5,000 participants - event record
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - (May 3-4, 2008) - Heather King (Orlando, Fla.), 33, won the Disney's Women Run the World 15K on Sunday during the 3rd Disney's Minnie Marathon Weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando. Running in her first 15K race, King was hardly challenged during the 9.3 mile course as she posted a time of 1 hour, 49 seconds to win by nearly two minutes. Cheryl Edwards (Avon, Conn.) crossed the line in second (1:02:37) and Courtney Phillips (Jacksonville, Fla.) finished third at 1:02:46. In the Master's division, Sue O'Malley (Port Orange, Fla.), 47, won in a time of 1:04:20 followed by Maureen Powers (Kissimmee, Fla.) at 1:08:27.

In the Go Red for Women 5K Run on Saturday, Sonja Friend-Uhl (West Palm Beach, Fla.) won easily defeating the nearest competitor by nearly 30 seconds. Friend-Uhl, who is no stranger to Disney's Endurance Series events, finished second in the 2008 Walt Disney World Marathon, crossed the finish line in 18:38. Maite Moscoso (Longwood, Fla.) finished second (19:06) and Edwards, the runner-up in the 15K the next day, finished third in 19:35. The top-finisher in the Master's division was Maureen O'Sullivan (Lutz, Fla.) at 23:03.

While the weekend is designed for women, men were welcome to participate on behalf of the women in their lives. Nicholas Smith of Aurora, Ontario was the top male finisher in the 15K with a time of 59:20, while Will Bridges (Orlando, Fla.) took top honors in the Go Red for Women 5K crossing the line in 17:04.

More than 5,000 runners - an event record - were entered in the various races during the Third Annual Minnie Marathon Weekend, including 3,000 in the Women Run the World 15K and 2,000 in the Go Red for Women 5K.

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