LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Mar. 5, 2009) – Thousands of women from around the world are bringing out their inner Princess at the inaugural Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker. Runners from every U.S. state and 17 other countries is taking part in this three-day celebration of women’s health and fitness that includes special features that are all things Princess.
Participants and their family and friends can experience a variety of exclusive opportunities including Princess meet and greets, a character breakfast, a makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and a Princess-themed after party at Disney's Hollywood Studios with live entertainment and a special gift at the stroke of midnight.
The weekend, kicks off Friday, March 6, with Disney’s Fit for a Princess Expo at the Jostens Center at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex. The expo, open to everyone, will involve renowned fitness experts leading seminars on training, racing and nutrition, and the latest running and fitness equipment.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for women to educate themselves about their health and fitness all in one place,” said Disney’s Endurance Series Director Kathleen Duran. “Not only does it provide awareness and empower women to live a healthy lifestyle, but they will have a great time doing it.”
More than 11,000 runners are competing in various races throughout weekend, making this event one of the largest endurance race weekends geared towards women. The signature event, Disney’s Princess Half Marathon, is Sunday, and takes runners on a 13.1 mile royal journey through Magic Kingdom and Epcot. On Saturday, there is the Royal Family 5K at Epcot and the Princess Kids’ Races.
Every runner will receive a commemorative Champion Ladies Tech shirt and runners crossing the finish line will receive a special Princess tiara-shaped medal. While the event is geared towards women, men can run in support of the special women in their lives.
For a complete schedule of events, visit disneyprincesshalfmarathon.com. Also, additional post-race party tickets can be purchased for family and friends at the Fit for a Princess Expo or at the party.
Disney’s Princess Half Marathon will support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Disney has a long-standing relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation that stretches more than 27 years. Disney has contributed more than $11 million in cash and in-kind donations each year and used its magic to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. With more than 6,000 wishes granted every year - including visits to the Disney Parks, Disney Cruises, Disney Characters visits, attending sporting events and visiting TV and movie sets - Disney-themed wishes continue to be the most popular requests by children to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
About Disney’s Endurance Series
Disney’s Endurance Series gives recreational athletes of all ages and abilities the chance to walk, jog, run, bike and swim their way “around the world.” From marathons to road races to triathlons, athletes from across the country and around the world compete to stay in shape, achieve personal-best times and raise donations for charitable causes. Popular Endurance Series events are the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon (January), Expedition Everest Challenge (September), Disneyland Half Marathon (September), Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K (October) and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K (October). Please visit disneyenduranceseries.com for more information.
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