Polytechnic Marathon City Stadium in front of the Royal Box, a distance that turned out to be 26 miles, 385 yards. There was immense public interest in the 1908 Olympic race, with its dramatic finish in which Dorando Pietri of Italy entered the stadium well clear of the field and staggered around the last lap to the finish line—only to be disqualified for receiving assistance. Building on this interest, "The Sporting Life" newspaper offered a magnificent trophy for an annual international marathon that would be second in importance only to the Olympic event itself. The Polytechnic Harriers were again asked to organise
Walt Disney World Marathon because of USA Track & Field lightning policy, anticipated lightning and a lack of necessary shelter on course should it be required during the race. All registered half marathon runners received their half marathon medals. In November 2012, Glass Slipper Concierge travel specialist and avid runner Megan Biller began publishing a yearly "Runner's Guide to Walt Disney World" entitled "Magical Miles" through runWDW, LLC, "offering advice on resorts, restaurants, race registration, packing tips, spectator information, training, race day information and much more." In January 2016, Matthew Dobson, the first American male to win the Marathon, self-published a book titled "How