Water Spring completes Disney races

AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR

Eleven teachers at Water Spring Elementary School laced up their running shoes after months of preparation for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.

Kelly Bua, Stephanie Fraunberger, Amanda Harper, Erin Heitzman, Lindsay Johns, Karen Lane, Heather Neuman, Andrea Silva, Robert Snodgrass, Krista Steele and Christine Van Lue all participated. For some, it was the first time, and for others, it was the chance to add a medal to their collection.

Harper and Fraunberger, who train together, ran the 5K, 10K and half marathon during the weekend, totaling 22.4 miles over three days. It was their sixth weekend participating in RunDisney events and their 12th RunDisney race.

The running duo even has a RunDisney Instagram, @mandyandstephrunwithmagic.

The two ran their first RunDisney race for Wine and Dine Weekend in 2021. When they realized other Water Spring teachers were running it, they started the school tradition that anyone who runs in any of the races during a race weekend would meet in the lobby the following school day to take a photo wearing their race shirts and medals and celebrate their accomplishments.

“We really feel this has brought people together at school by sharing our love for RunDisney with each other,” Harper said. “It has really helped people across different grade levels and positions feel part of a community. This marathon weekend was very exciting, because for some staff members it was their first RunDisney event. Stephanie Fraunberger and I run every race together, but for this 10K, Krista Steele joined us. It was so much fun being part of her first race experience.”

Harper and Fraunberger will be running the 5K, 10K and half marathon for Princess Weekend in February. Once they complete this Fairytale Challenge, they will receive a fourth medal. They also plan to run the Springtime Surprise weekend in April, and completing all three races will earn them a fourth medal.

Steele said she is not a big fan of running, but one of her goals from last year was to exercise more, so she accepted the challenge of the 10K.

“I was really pleased with my time, (because) I had never done a race like this before and kept up a good enough pace to avoid the bal- loon ladies and not get swept,” she said. “The 2:30 a.m. call time was not fun, but seeing everyone ready for the race and their throwback outfits gave me a boost of energy and adrenaline.”

Steele has plans to sign up for the 5K and 10K and, maybe, the half marathon, at Disney’s Wine and Dine in November.

Heitzman has been running Disney challenges since 2015. Her next half marathon is in late February, and she has numerous Disney races scheduled: the Enchanted 10K, Princess Half Marathon and the Toy Story 10-miler during the Springtime Surprise race weekend in April.

Snodgrass decided to tackle a marathon after participating in a 5K, 10K, 10-miler and half marathon, all with RunDisney.

“RunDisney events are always a magical experience,” he said. “I allowed myself to stop to meet characters and take in all the entertainment Disney provides during races.”

Neuman has run many halves and triathlons before, but never a full marathon.

“I decided to give it a try to see if I could,” she said. “My daughter met me on Main Street to cheer me on; it was the best hug ever. At mile 20, when I hit the wall during training, my daughter and best friend were constantly texting me encouragement until the end. I still get emotional over it when I think about it.”

For veteran runner Van Lue, who has been running consistently since 2009, this was her 29th half marathon; she also has run three full ones. Her son also ran the half, and when he was struggling with ankle pain, the two met up around mile 6 and walked most of the rest of the route.

“The time with him was more special and important than the time on the clock,” Van Lue said. “Running Disney is like no other. I have done many half marathons, but nothing compares to running down Main Street and through the castle at the crack of dawn.”