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Walt Disney World Marathon Winner Recovering from Broken Back

Walt Disney World Marathon
Credit: Disney

The 2023 Walt Disney World Marathon has come and gone and with it has crowned a new winner! Her story is an inspiring one that is sure to warm your heart. Runners train for years to run a marathon, with some making extreme sacrifices for their passion. Since runDisney events are so popular, the competition is fierce. For the women’s division race winner Katherine Cargiulo, however, running was a recovery effort.

Marathon winner

Credit: Disney

Katherine Cargiulo has long since been a dedicated athlete, but seven months ago she broke her back during a triathlon. Triathlons consist of swimming, biking and running and is very hard on the body. One has to be in tip-top shape to perform under the grueling conditions of a triathlon race so running and endurance are two things Cargiulo is no stranger to.

During her remarkable recovery, Cargiulo said she began running to aid the process. This alone is impressive because some never walk again after suffering a broken bac because a broken back often comes with extensive nerve damage. Since the spine is the gateway from the brain to the legs, overcoming a back break is no small feat. Cargiulo not only walked but won a marathon less than a year after sustaining her injury!

Walt Disney World Marathon

Credit: Disney

Cargiulo didn’t win the Walt Disney World Marathon by any small margin either! She beat the runner up by nearly five minutes! Her finishing time was 3:00:13 while the runner up, Jamie Weglarz finished in an also impressive 3:04:44. In contrast, the men’s race was won with only a 33 second gap between first and second place.

When asked how it felt to win the race Kathrine Cargiulo said, “Just to be running in a race is a dream come true. This place is magical.’’ That positive attitude in the face of adversity likely played a large part in her recovery (and win)!

 

About Jill Bivins

Jill Bivins has been visiting Disney Parks since she was 2 years old and loves sharing her Disney adventures with the world. She likes to say Disney is in her blood and writing is in her bones — so any time she has the opportunity to combine these loves she is one happy camper! She has a deep abiding love for Epcot and as a die hard Star Wars fan has a serious love for Hollywood Studios as well. When she isn't exploring or writing about Disney Parks, Jill is homeschooling her 8 year old son, playing with her brand new baby son, or pretending to be a farmer on her family homestead (despite being unable to keep even a cactus alive). Find Jill on Instagram @minnieonmain.