From Disneyland to Disney World

A Texas man just finished running from Disneyland in Southern California to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Don Muchow, 59, started his goal of running across the United States in February 2020. He didn't have a specific plan involving both Disney parks, but after a conversation with a friend he decided to include them.

When he was asked why he chose to run from Disneyland to Walt Disney World he explained that it was his friend’s idea:

“I have a friend of mine, and when I was explaining the transcontinental run, and he’s a huge Disney fan, he said basically, ‘Well are you running from Disneyland to Walt Disney World? A little light bulb went on in my head and I said, ‘I don’t think anyone’s ever done that– let’s go look it up,’ and no one had. So to me it made it special, to kind of help fulfill a dream of his and it’s always been a dream of mine to run across the country.”

Muchow started long-distance running to bring awareness to Type 1 diabetes, a disease he has been living with for 48 years,since 1972. He is the founder of Diabetes and Exercise Allaince as well as Diabietic Ultra Endurance Athletes.

In March 2020 he had to put his run on hold due to the start of the pandemic. He picked it up again in Texas on September 24 and ran to the Texas/Arkansas border, where he had to pause for a second time due to spikes in the virus in October.

He restarted his final push to finish on March 2 and made it to Disney World on April 5, a trip of more than 2,500 miles

"I've been on cloud nine ever since," Muchow told reporters.

When he arrived at the park, Disney security, cast members and guests cheered and loaded him down with a custom Mickey Mouse cap, balloons and more. He then was assigned an official photographer and guest relations representative who took them into the park to the front of his favorite ride -- "It's a Small World."

Before leaving, Muchow was granted his one request -- a Mickey Mouse ice cream cone.

Two days later, Muchow finally made it to the Atlantic Ocean, completing his mission.

• MUCHOW - The professional 

        https://www.linkedin.com/in/donmuchow 

• MUCHOW - The athlete 

2019 El Paso TX to Texarkana TX: 850 Miles

Fastest-known-time (FKT) record for cross-Texas run by anyone.

2018 RelayIowa: 339 Miles

Sioux City to Dubuque. First ever solo finisher of longest US relay. First ever  T1D (Type 1 Diabetis) finisher.

2017 Capital to Coast Race: 223 Miles

Austin, TX to the Gulf of Mexico. First ever T1D solo finisher.

2017 Ironman Texas: 140.6 Miles

2.4 mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2 mile run.

2016 Texas Quad Marathon: 104.8 Miles

4 marathons in 4 days. 3rd Place. First ever T1D finisher.

2017 Honey Badger Ultra Road Race: 100 Miles

100 miles in 100+ degrees! First ever T1D finisher.

Tour de Cure Double Century Bike Rally: 200 Miles

Texas Hill Country: Austin to Fredericksburg and back.

PLUS 30+ triathlons, century bike rallies, ultramarathons, ultra relay races, marathons and half-marathons.

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Article from CNN (edited)