Sarah Berg of Rainy River runs Disney Marathon

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Last year she conquered the New York City Marathon and then set her sights on a marathon in Philadelphia last November.
However, on mile 19 of 26, Sarah Berg of Rainy River began experiencing vision problems. “It was what they call a migraine aura,” explained Berg. It is not a full fledged migraine, but her vision was affected enough that marathon officials pulled her off the course.
Berg was extremely disappointed. “I train 16 weeks for a marathon and did not want to waste my training.”
So she turned to a sort of trade website where marathon runners interact, talk about their experiences at various marathons. Another member of the site recommended the Disney World Marathon in Orlando, Florida.
“I had no intention of doing this one, but I did not want to waste my training,” repeated Berg. So she started making plans for the January 8, 2012 marathon. She also turned it into more than a sporting event for her. She took her daughter London and her mom Vicki Atkin. “I could not very well go to Disney World and not take my daughter! That would be cruel!” said Berg.
They spent five days there and Sarah ran on day four. “There is so much to see, but we really enjoyed it!”
For the marathon, Berg said, “Disney put on quite a show! Each of the eight starting waves were sent on their way with spectacular fireworks displays!”
They began early in the morning. “It was still dark out, to try and beat the Florida heat.”
Berg said this marathon was quite different than any other ones she has done. “There is so much to see. We ran right through the magic kingdom. I saw Epcot Centre, and many other Disney highlights.” She said they ran through all the different Disney parks and on freeway’s that connected them. She also saw the Harry Potter set and Universal Studios. “I remember so many of them clearly. It is so much different than a city course where you see people and buildings.”
Berg said that Disney set up photo opportunities all along the course where runners could stop and have their picture taken. However, she was there to run against her best time. But the organizers still managed to provide photos of each runner. “If they can see your bib number they will sell you individual pictures or the entire disk. I bought the disk.”
Berg did not stop until she reached the end. However, she felt that she was not performing to the max during the last six miles. “I was not happy with my last six miles. I felt like I powered down.” However, despite that feeling, which she attributed to the heat, she broke her personal best time! “I ran under four hours! 3:58:24! That’s my best time!”
Berg noted that most marathon runners are out there to compete against themselves. Despite the fact that thousands are participating, “We are all trying to beat our best time. Everyone is supportive of everyone. Congratulating one another on achievements!”
In addition to breaking her own record, she also did well in the overall standings; finishing 91st out of 1,014 in her age group. “I was pretty happy about that!”
She received a medal for completing the course. It is different than other medals in that it is a rendition of Mickey Mouse.
This is the fourth marathon she has completed and fifth overall she has entered. She is hoping to do at least one more this year, maybe two, depending on timing. “I have to go away to take some more education for work this summer.” Berg is the pharmacist at Rainy River Drugs.
She said she always takes some time off after a marathon from running. Two Sunday’s ago she tried to get back in the swing of things. “My legs were still like jello!”
Her daughter London, is beginning to show an interest in mom’s sport. “She was mad at me when she found out she missed the kids’ races the day before we arrived. Had I known about them I may have gone a bit earlier.”