Actor Sean Astin joins field of more than 17,000 runners for race at 'Happiest Place on Earth'
ANAHEIM, Calif. (Sept. 2, 2012) – Jimmy Grabow, from the appropriately
named Running Springs, Calif., won the Disneyland Half Marathon in
record fashion, finishing in 1:05:29. Grabow's time was nearly two
minutes faster than the previous mark, set by Paul Ngeny (1:07:24) in
2011.
Cindy Lynch, of Cardiff, Calif., captured the women's title
at Disneyland, finishing with a time of 1:24:45. She was followed by
Kellie Nickerson (1:26:29), who earlier this year captured the inaugural
Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland.
More than 17,000 registered runners, including actor Sean Astin (The
Goonies, Rudy, The Lord of the Rings), traveled down Route 66 through
Cars Land for the first time, along with passing through Disneyland,
Disney California Adventure, Angel Stadium and the streets of Anaheim.
All along the route, runners were greeted by cheering fans, Disney
characters, music and live entertainment.
This year's sold-out half marathon field included runners ages 14 – 78
from all 50 states and 19 countries. In addition to the half marathon,
other weekend events included the Cars Land 5K Rally, runDisney Kids'
Races and a two-day Health and Fitness Expo.
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 @DisneySports.