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Building on the near-instant success of its Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort, runDisney is staging a second women-specific race – the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend – in early 2012 at Disneyland Resort, giving women and girls nationwide another opportunity to celebrate health, fitness and active lifestyles. After weeks of anticipation fueled by a series of clues from Disney, the Tinker Bell event was officially revealed Tuesday at a news conference at Disneyland Resort attended by celebrities and Anaheim city officials.
The Tinker Bell Half Marathon, hosted by the City of Anaheim and Disneyland Resort, will take runners on a 13.1-mile trek through the Disneyland and Disney California Adventure theme parks and pass by several City of Anaheim landmarks. The course will be filled with music, entertainment, Disney characters, runners in colorful Tinker Bell costumes and, of course, pixie dust, and will finish at Disneyland. Runners will receive a new Tinker Bell “wings’’ medal.
“We’re proud to be the home of the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend,’’ said Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait. “It is events like this that give a city heart and character. I’m happy to welcome the thousands of runners and their friends and families to Anaheim.’’
As with the four current runDisney signature events, the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend, Jan. 27-29, 2012, will feature a variety of activities, including the Neverland Family Fun Run 5K. 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.
“ ‘Women runners’ and ‘half marathons’ are part of a growing and popular trend within the running world – and that’s evident by the rapid success of our Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World,’’ said Kathleen Duran, Disney Sports Endurance Manager. “This new Tinker Bell event at Disneyland embraces that trend and provides thousands of women another unique opportunity to spread their fairy wings and showcase women’s fitness, health and an active lifestyle in a relaxed, fun and family vacation environment.’’
Megyn Price, star of the hit CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement, attended the announcement along with Disney California Adventure and Guest Services Vice President Mary Niven and Mayor Tom Tait. Price was the first person to sign up to run the inaugural race.
“The idea of bringing my family to Disney and running a half marathon with thousands of other women was really appealing for me,” said Price. “Being active and healthy is important for women, so I think the whole weekend is going to be a fun and unique experience for me and my family.”
With the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend, Disneyland Resort will be hosting two of runDisney’s five signature events. Disneyland currently hosts the Disneyland Half Marathon during Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 2-4 in 2011). In all, more than 10,000 runners are expected to participate in the inaugural Tinker Bell event, making it one of the nation’s largest endurance races geared toward women.
Registration for the first-ever Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend is open. Registration is currently $120 for the half marathon ($130 after June 12, 2011, and $140 after Sept. 11, 2011)and $50 for the 5K event. A portion of the registration fees will be donated to the Anaheim Community Foundation.
