ANAHEIM, Calif. (Aug. 23, 2012) – The Happiest Race on Earth just got happier as runners in the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend will race Sept. 1 and 2 through the newly reopened Disney CaliforniaAdventure Park, including Cars Land.

More than 17,000 registered half marathon runners, including actor Sean Astin (The Goonies, Rudy, The Lord of the Rings), will get to motor down Route 66 through Cars Land as they start their 13.1 mile journey that takes them through Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.  In addition, runners will pass by the Matterhorn and through Sleeping Beauty Castle, all before hitting the streets of Anaheim and running through Angel Stadium of Anaheim.  All along the route runners will be greeted by cheering fans, Disney characters, music and live entertainment.

This year’s sold-out half marathon field includes runners ages 14 – 78 from all 50 states and 19 countries.  While all finishers receive a Disneyland Half Marathon medal, more than 2,800 who ran a runDisney race at Walt Disney World Resort earlier this year, will qualify to receive a second medal – the runDisney Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal.

In addition to the half marathon, other weekend events include the Cars Land 5K Rally, runDisney Kids’ Races and a two-day Health and Fitness Expo where visitors can check out the latest in fitness apparel, running gear and high tech gadgets as well as training information from runDisney training consultant Jeff Galloway, former Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton and well-known running authors Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell.

runDisney is a series of events providing runners unique opportunities to run various distances through Disney theme parks.  Race participants earn Disney-themed medals, experience legendary Disney entertainment and guest service and ultimately celebrate their accomplishments with a Disney vacation.  The original event in the series, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna, takes place in January followed by the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend in February, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler in September and the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend in November.  Disneyland hosts the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend in January and the Disneyland Half Marathon in September during Labor Day Weekend.  More than 100,000 running enthusiasts participate in runDisney events each year. For more information, visit runDisney.com and follow us on Facebook (runDisney) and Twitter @runDisney.

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Celebrities and Inspirational Runners Among Compelling Human Interest Stories at the Disneyland Half Marathon This Weekend

Great live shot and photo gallery opportunity Sunday morning

WHAT: Celebrities and inspirational runners among the potential storylines within the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, which involves more than 17,000 runners from throughout Southern California and beyond.

WHEN: Disneyland Half Marathon, Sunday, Sept. 2 at 5:45 am.  Media must arrive by 4:45 am for live coverage of the start and finish lines.

WHERE: The 13.1-mile half marathon course goes through Disneyland Resort, Disney California Adventure Park, the streets of Anaheim and Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

STORYLINES:

• The Comeback:  A 41-year-old Ventura woman who suffered a major stroke one year ago is now miraculously attempting to run her first half marathon.
• Helping Sick Children:  Actor Scott Baio (Happy Days) will be on-hand to support his wife, Renee, who is running the half marathon for their Bailey Baio Angel Foundation which raises awareness and financial assistance for children who suffer from rare metabolic disorders.
• Running with a Purpose:  Actor Sean Astin (Rudy, The Lord of the Rings, The Goonies) is running the half marathon as he continues his I Run 4 Something program in which he runs for someone or a charitable cause that has been submitted to him via Twitter (#run3rd).

CONTACT: Media interested in attending should contact Bob Hitchcock at (407) 922-3422, robert.g.hitchcock@disney.com, or Tony Morreale at (813) 390-6400, tony.morreale@disney.com. 

Media Contact  / Credentials:
Bob Hitchcock, runDisney Public Relations Manager
(407) 922-3422
robert.g.hitchcock@disney.com

Tony Morreale, Sports Public Relations Manager
(813) 390-6400
tony.morreale@disney.com

ANAHEIM, Calif. (January 29, 2012) — Kellie Nickerson – looking apropos in her fairy wings and green tutu – flew away from the field to capture the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif.

Nickerson, who hails from Albuquerque, N.M., captured her first win at Disney in 1:27:52, finishing ahead of Southern Californians Sharon Wilkinson of Winnetka (1:28:18) and Stacy Schafer from Carlsbad (1:28:54).

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ANAHEIM, Ca. (January 19, 2012) — Pixie dust and fairy wings will overtake Disneyland Resort and the streets of Anaheim this weekend as thousands of runners participate in the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon (Jan. 27 – 29).  TV sitcom star Megyn Price (Rules of Engagement) will be among the 17,000-plus runners taking part in this ultimate girls weekend, the latest event in the runDisney series and the second at Disneyland Resort.

The Tinker Bell Half Marathon, hosted by the city of Anaheim and Disneyland Resort, takes runners on a 13.1-mile trek through the Disneyland and California Adventure, as well as by several city of Anaheim landmarks. The half marathon, expected to draw 12,000 runners, will be filled with music, entertainment, Disney characters, runners in colorful Tinker Bell costumes and, of course, pixie dust, and finishing at Disneyland. Runners will receive a commemorative Tinker Bell “wings” medal.

The weekend of events, all geared toward health, fitness and active lifestyles for women, features a variety of races including The Neverland 5K on Friday night, kids’ races on Saturday and the Tinker Bell Half Marathon on Sunday. There will also be a health and fitness expo featuring the latest running merchandise, products, apparel and guest speakers – all tailored for women – creating a weekend of camaraderie and wellness, plus a pinch of Tinker Bell’s trademark sassiness and sense of adventure.

Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend is the second women-focused event weekend in the runDisney series.  Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend takes place at Walt Disney World Resort Feb. 24 – 26.  Both event weekends are among the largest women-specific events in the country.

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About runDisney
runDisney is a series of events providing runners unique opportunities to run through Disney theme parks.  Race participants earn Disney-themed medals, experience legendary Disney entertainment and guest service and ultimately celebrate their accomplishments with a Disney vacation.  The original event in the series, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna, takes place in January followed by the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend in February, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler in September and the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend in November.  Disneyland hosts the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend in January and the Disneyland Half Marathon in September during Labor Day Weekend.  More than 100,000 running enthusiasts participate in runDisney events each year. For more information, visit runDisney.com and follow us on Facebook (runDisney) and Twitter @DisneySports.

Contact:
Bob Hitchcock, Disney Sports Public Relations – 407-922-3422 (cell), robert.g.hitchcock@disney.com
Tony Morreale, Disney Sports Public Relations – 813-390-6400 (cell), tony.morreale@disney.com