Disneyland Half-Marathon Draws Big Names, Full Participation

It’s the sixth year of record turn out for the Disneyland Half-Marathon. The Labor Day weekend races include a course through the parks, special medals, and this year will feature a couple of Hollywood celebrities.

Hollywood actors Drew Carey and Megyn Price are expected to be among the throng of runners and fans at the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend at Disneyland Resort, September 2-4. A record field of more than 20,500 runners will compete in the three-day event that’s part of the runDisney series.

Carey, host of the popular game show “The Price is Right” and co-owner of the Seattle Sounders MLS team, is one of the more than record 15,000 runners signed up to run the 13.1-mile half marathon. Price, star of the hit TV sitcom “Rules of Engagement,’’ will be part of the starting line festivities for the half marathon. It’s good to see the new slimmer Carey joining in the fun.

The Disneyland Half Marathon field, which encompasses runners from 49 states and 23 countries, will have the unique opportunity to run through two Disneyland Resort theme parks – Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Runners will pass by the Matterhorn, through Sleeping Beauty Castle and alongside California Screamin’ Roller Coaster before hitting the streets of Anaheim and running through Angel Stadium of Anaheim amid hundreds of spectators.

And awaiting them at the finish line this year will be a newly-created medal designed around Disneyland Resort’s iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle. Also, more than 2,750 runners, who ran a runDisney race at Walt Disney World Resort earlier this year, will qualify to receive Disney’s Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal when they cross the finish line. All along the route runners will be greeted by cheering fans, Disney characters, music and live entertainers.

In addition to the half marathon, other weekend events include the “Star Tours’’ Family Fun Run 5K, Kids’ Races and a Health and Fitness Expo where visitors can check out the latest in fitness apparel, running gear and high tech gadgets as well as purchase runDisney merchandise and receive training information from former Olympian and runDisney training consultant Jeff Galloway.

New this year is a special offer for participants in the kids’ races Saturday who will receive a voucher for a ticket to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s 12:35 pm game Sunday against the Minnesota Twins (half marathon runners, friends and families can purchase a $10 voucher for the game at the Health and Fitness Expo). A special pre-game recognition ceremony will take place on the field to salute winners of the Disneyland Half Marathon.

Registration for next year’s event usually opens shortly after the completion of this year’s run. So get your name in early and get training to run with Mickey and friends.