When University of Miami professor Ben Recarey saw the Walt Disney World marathon advertisement for a new format that allowed runners to participate in both the half-marathon and the full, grueling 26.2 miles on back-to-back mornings, he pounced on the challenge.

OK, the 64-year-old admitted: ``It's all about the medal.''

Those who finish today's half-marathon at the theme parks in Lake Buena Vista are awarded the Donald Duck medal. Sunday's marathon finishers get Mickey Mouse.

And those who complete the 39.3 miles receive the specially designed medal appropriately made with the likeness of Goofy.

''I realized this was a new medal that nobody had gotten yet,'' Recarey said. ``This is going to be great.''

He recruited his 65-year-old running buddy, Joe Moya, who retired from sales at a trucking company two years ago, and Joe Best, a 41-year-old construction company foreman.

''The three Goofateers are going to do it,'' Moya proclaimed.

GROWING POPULARITY

Race director Jon Hughes said because of the growing popularity of the marathon, it was the ''nature of the beast'' that the two events would have to be split. Now in its 13th year, the race closed registration months ago with a record 30,000 participants.

Once it was decided that it could logistically work to hold the races on separate days, Hughes said he knew he'd get a few requests from people wanting to do both. So he gave the double its own price tag, name and medal.

''I'd like to say I'm so smart, but it took off with a life of its own,'' he said.

FIRST OF ITS KIND?

Nearly 3,000 people will attempt the Goofy Challenge, which appears to be the first of its kind at an event this large.

Although Hughes figures that with all the running events around the world, the double must have been offered somewhere, ''but I don't know any of this scale.'' He never received a response from USA Running confirming it to be the first.

There also is a 5K (3.1 miles) race today after the half marathon (13.1 miles). Hughes knows some will run in that, too, for the trifecta of 42.4 miles.

''But I don't even have a name for that,'' Hughes said.

The marathon route goes through four theme parks: The Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, GM Studios and Animal Kingdom. Among the participants will be NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers Kyle Petty and Michael Waltrip. Don't look for Moya, Best and Recarey anywhere near the winners.

''We'll see if I end up in the hospital, with an IV in me,'' said Best, who has never run a full marathon, although he did run 20 miles in a 24-hour period during a relay race in Oregon.

RACE STRATEGY

Recarey said Moya asked him about his Disney race strategy.

Recarey replied: ``Go easy on the half, and then when I get to the marathon, I'm going to slow down. Yes, my plan is just to finish.''

Recarey said Moya is being coy about his strategy: ``He's saying that he's going to walk the half-marathon with his wife and family, but then the marathon is going to be a different story. God knows what he is going to do.

``But Disney gives us a ridiculous window to finish. We normally run between 11 and 12 minute miles for that distance. They are giving us like 16-17 minutes.''

The trio often runs together Saturday mornings. Many runs are near half-marathon length.

Moya ran track when he was growing up in Cuba, but there was a 40-year break until he took it up again just before his 60th birthday.

''I feel better now than I have my whole life,'' he said.

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