2010 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend celebrates five years of races

On Aug. 31, Disney announced the 2010 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend will celebrate its 5th anniversary milestone this weekend with more than 14,000 registered athletes, a record for the event. Held Sept. 3 – 5, the half marathon event has attracted runners and walkers from all 50 U.S. States and 16 countries.

Looking for the 2010 Disneyland Half Marathon results?

The Disneyland Half Marathon allows athletes to participate in “The Happiest Race on Earth.” Its relatively flat course moves through both Disneyland Resort theme parks – Disneyland and Disney California Adventure – and into the streets of Anaheim, including moving by the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center.

For participants, race course highlights include the sights of Sleeping Beauty Castle and Matterhorn, and catching a glimpse of themselves on the jumbotron screen inside Angel Stadium. Adding to the pixie-dusted atmosphere of the race are the live course entertainment and Disney characters that populate the course to cheer on the participants with hugs and photo ops.

Click to see the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend course map.

Disneyland Half Marathon 5th anniversary medal and runner recognition
To mark the race’s 5th anniversary, Disney has designed a commemorative finisher medal with a bold design. Disney races are known of the size and heft of their bling, and this medal is no exception. A large number five forms the backdrop against which Sleeping Beauty Castle and a running Mickey Mouse stand out.

Given the 2010 half marathon is an anniversary event, Disney will recognize its nearly 570 “Legacy Runners” – those athletes whose participation in the race marks their perfect attendance at the Disneyland half marathon – throughout the weekend. For starters, their names are printed in Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend pre-race program for all participant to see.

Click to see the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend program.

In addition to Legacy Runners – a label that also includes walkers, as Disney races are walker-friendly – nearly 2,350 athletes are aiming to qualify for Disney’s Coast to Coast medal. The special medal is given to finishers who complete the Disneyland Half Marathon and one of the following Walt Disney World races in the same year: January’s half marathon at Disney Marathon Weekend, Disney’s Princess Half Marathon, or the Disney Wine & Die Half Marathon.

The Coast to Coast medal is given out in addition to each event's individual finisher's medals. The medal features the Partners Statue, the statue that show the Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse holding hands as Walt points off into the distance and perhaps to the future.

2010 Disneyland Half Marathon schedule
In addition to the half-marathon race that takes place Sunday, Sept. 5, the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend includes a Disneyland 5K fun run/walk that also goes through Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, with more than 5,000 registered participants; Kids’ Races; and the Disneyland Health and Fitness Expo at the Disneyland Hotel Exhibit Hall, with more than 90 vendors and offers merchandise and information on races and running, fitness equipment, footwear and apparel.

• Disneyland Health & Fitness Expo, Friday 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Disneyland Fabulous Fun Run 5K, Saturday, 7 a.m.
• Kids’ Races, Saturday following the 5K (infants – 8 years old)
• Disneyland Health & Fitness Expo, Saturday, 9 – 6 p.m.
• Disneyland Half Marathon, Sunday, 6 a.m.

2010 Disneyland Half Marathon spectator information
Heather Hust Rivera, Manager, Print and Social Media, Disneyland Resort, posted these spectator tips on the Disney Parks Blog:

• The Start – Disneyland Drive to Katella Avenue, 6:00 a.m. to 6:40 a.m. (Accessible only by foot)
• The Esplanade between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, 6:12 a.m. to 7:02 a.m. (Accessible only by foot)
• Disneyland Drive to Ball Road, 6:20 a.m. to 7:26 a.m. (Accessible only by foot)
• Angel Stadium, 6:45 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. (Accessible via Orangewood Ave. entrance)
• Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and ESPN Zone, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Spectators who purchased a ChEAR Zone package will have reserved seating in the Finish Line area.

2011 Disneyland Half Marathon dates
Next year’s Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend is scheduled for Sept. 2-4, 2011. Registration for the 2011 Disneyland Half Marathon will open Jan. 3, 2011. For more on the Disneyland Half Marathon and other Disney running events, visit EPSN Wide World of Sports runDisney Series. (Note: Disney’s Endurance Event Series has been renamed runDisney.)

Disney Travel Examiner related articles:

• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend releases 2010 course descriptions and medal designs
• Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2011 update: Race registration opens
• Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom holds 3rd annual Expedition Everest Challenge June 12, 2010
• Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort, March 5 – 7, 2010

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