Tinker Bell Half Marathon at DLR

[Tom Morrow]

Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland Resort

Disney race closes roads, brings in millions Orange County Register A new Disney race may shut down streets for a few hours. But this weekend’s event is expected to open the road to millions of dollars for the region. The inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon events are set to run through Sunday at the Disneyland Resort, bringing in about 17,000 people. The main 13.1-mile, half-marathon is set for 5:45 a.m. Sunday morning. The Tinker Bell race is geared for women, although men can participate in the half marathon. Of the 12,000 registered runners, 920 are men. This race is modeled after the Princess Half Marathon in Walt Disney World, which builds on the popularity of the sport among women. In 2011, about 59 percent of participants in half marathons nationwide were women, said Faron Kelley, director of marketing for runDisney, which operates Disney park races. In addition to two races in Anaheim, Disney manages four other races in Florida. Some Anaheim roads will be closed starting midnight, going as late as 10 a.m. Signs have been posted throughout the week and notices have been sent to alert residents to the closures, said Ruth Ruiz, a city spokeswoman. road closures and route by Sarah Tully complete article

Submitted by Ezra

[staystrong]

Awwwww...I didn't know men could enter this! I would have gladly put on a Tinkerbell outfit for it! Well....I still have the September Half-Marathon. Hmmmmm...what to wear...what to wear...

[Tom Morrow]

Tinker Bells take over Disneyland

Tinker Bells (and a few Tinker Fellas) take over Disneyland for inaugural race Orange County Register A mass of humanity (including celebrity Sean Astin) gathers in the chilly pre-dawn hours along Disneyland Drive. A 13.1 mile run later and there’s a gold-colored Tinker Bell medallion, gleaming in the sun, waiting for each of these thousands of runners. The event was targeted but not restricted to females, some of whom donned elaborate costumes of Disney princesses and villainesses for their runs. And there were lots and lots of Tinker Bells. More than 12,000 people registered to run in the inaugural race at the Disneyland Resort, according to the company. Traffic and parking on surrounding city streets were snarled by the presence of so many people at once. The procession down Disneyland Drive at the start of the race stretched as far as the eye could see. So, too, did the volunteers, lining the race with cheerleaders and Red Hat Society women alike. One hour, 27 minutes and 52 seconds into the inaugural Tinker Bell half marathon run in Anaheim, Kellie Nickerson broke the ribbon. The New Mexico resident flew out for the race and hoped to finish among the top racers. She finished first. Wearing green from wings to tutu, Nickerson has a soft voice and a big smile. “My mom told me the wings would create drag,” she said. Apparently not enough to make a difference. Rather than resting, she’s going to Disneyland. “I’m think I’m too excited to sleep,” she said. by Ian Hamilton complete article

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Kellie Nickerson wins inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon at the Disneyland Resort Disney Parks Blog Kellie Nickerson – complete with fairy wings and a green tutu – flew away from the field to win the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon at the Disneyland Resort today. Nickerson traveled from Albuquerque, N.M., to capture her first win at a runDisney race with a finish time of 1:27:52, just ahead of Sharon Wilkinson of Winnetka, Calif., (1:28:18) and Stacy Schafer from Carlsbad, Calif. (1:28:54). by Darrell Fry complete article

Submitted by Ezra