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OCALA NATIVE JOEY MANTIA CAPTURES THIRD STRAIGHT WIN
Columbia's Cecilia Baena records her third straight Disney Inline Marathon win
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (April 1, 2007) Joey Mantia (Ocala, Fla.) recorded his third straight Walt Disney World® Inline Marathon. Mantia, 21, posted a time of 1:17:00 to edge out the next three competitors by one second. Andres Munoz of Columbia slipped past Michael Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) at the finish line to take second place. Both Munoz and Cheek finished with a time of 1:17:01.
In the women's division, Cecilia Baena of Columbia also recorded her third straight victory at the Disney Inline Marathon by inching out fellow Columbian Brigyte Mendez. Both women finished in a time of 1:17:04. Liana Holguin, also of Columbia, crossed the finish line with a time of 1:17:06.
In the Men's Pro Masters division, Amrit Ramkissoon (Dunedin, Fla.) won in a time of 1:17:21, followed by Norm Kirby of Colorado Springs, Colo. at 1:20:25. The Women's Pro Masters Division was not such a close race as Debbie Rice of Denham Springs, La. won easily at 1:22:22 defeating the next closest competitor by six seconds.
Pro Division - Men winner Joey Mantia crosses the finish line at the 2007 Walt Disney World® Inline Marathon. Andres Munoz (far right), Michael Cheek (behind him) and Julian Rivera (behind Mantia) contend for the remaining podium spots.
Briana Kramer (#118) leads the sprint of the second women's pack at the 2007 Walt Disney World® Inline Marathon
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Mantia shaved roughly three minutes from his time in last year's win and attributed to the great work of his teammate, Cheek, who guided him through until the last mile. At that point, Mantia was able to break away from the pack and cruise to the victory. "The competition was much better this season," said Mantia. "There were a lot more top notch international skaters in the race."
Led by Baena, 20, the women's pro division race was dominated by the Columbians who finished in the top three positions. She also improved her time from the previous two years and credited to having both the pro men and women starting at the same time in this year's race.
"I really enjoy racing in the Disney Inline Marathon, said Baena." To race through the theme parks is really good for the skaters."
Pro Division winners Joe Mantia (Men) and Cecilia Baena (Women) at the award ceremony for the 2007 Walt Disney World® Inline Marathon
The Walt Disney World® Inline Half Marathon was also held on Sunday. Richard Bonnette and Brandy Clark won the men's and women's divisions, respectively, in the event. Leading a field of over 400 skaters, Bonnette, 46 of Orlando, Fla., easily won the 13.1-mile race in 34:16. Clark, 26 of Greensboro, N.C., dominated the women's field at 34:34; nearly 10 minutes ahead of the next women's competitor.
Nearly 1,000 inline skaters registered for the 2007 Walt Disney World® Inline Marathon, including over 100 for the Kid's All-Star Classic that took place on Saturday, March 31, 2007.
For more information on events taking place at Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex, please visit www.disneysports.com. |
