Military Veterans and Athletes with Disabilities Shine at Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Walt Disney World® races are known for their magic and excitement. For a group of military veterans and athletes with disabilities, the true magic was not just in crossing the finish line, but in shattering barriers and proving to themselves and to the world that anything is possible.
From January 9 to January 12, 22 military veterans of the Achilles Freedom Team, along with Achilles athletes and volunteer guides from across the country, gathered in Orlando, Florida, to participate in the Walt Disney World® Marathon weekend events - made possible by the generous support of The Cigna Group.
Seven athletes triumphed over the Dopey Challenge, which consists of a 5K, 10K, half marathon and a full marathon all within four days. Among them were:
Corey Petersen, Achilles Freedom Team, Racing Wheelchair Division
Zach Stinson, Achilles Freedom Team, Racing Wheelchair Division
Bonnie Eng, Achilles NYC, First Place Finisher in the Women’s Handcycle Division in the Full Marathon
Nadine McNeil, Achilles NYC, Handcycle Division
Tyler McNeil, Achilles NYC, Ambulatory Runner Division
Erin Mondello, Achilles Long Island, Ambulatory Runner Division
Justin O’Connell, Achilles Boston, Ambulatory Runner Division
United States Navy veteran Kristin Hicks completed the Goofy Challenge, which consists of both the half and full marathon. This was her first marathon using a handcycle, a powerful testament to her strength as an athlete and her unwavering commitment to taking on new challenges.
Thanks to the generous support of the Cordani Family Scholarship Fund, four Team Achilles Kids members from New York and Achilles Houston took on the 10K for the very first time on Friday. During the 10K, 19-year-old Nyla from Achilles Kids NYC, who lives with autism, radiated pure excitement throughout the race, repeating the word “happy” along the course.
On Saturday, 37 athletes completed the half marathon braving rainy conditions and temperatures in the 40s.
Running influencer, Amanda Kenny, also joined Achilles on the half marathon course as a guide for a blind United States Army veteran of the Achilles Freedom Team.
“I was Roosevelt’s eyes for the day making sure we stayed clear of other runners, made the turns safely, and I called out any obstacles on the road so he wouldn’t trip,” Amanda said in an Instagram post. “It’s amazing how much we take for granted seeing cracks, puddles, curbs, debris, and anything else on the road that you would step over without thinking, but today I was extra concentrated on that and communicated everything to Roosevelt to help us maneuver through the course.”
Asim Baig, a blind athlete from Achilles NYC, his guide Hailey Johnson and his family joined the team for the weekend festivities as the winners of the 2024 Achilles NYC Marathon Team Fundraising Challenge grand prize. Asim raised over $13,700 to help support other athletes with disabilities.
This first race weekend of 2025 was a celebration of strength and community. We would like to extend a special thank you to The Cigna Group, the presenting sponsor of the Achilles Freedom Team, for hosting Achilles athletes and their families at a special pre-race event with Disney characters, music and VIP access to Hollywood Studios, providing an extra magical experience.
