Winner’s Dream Comes True After Race Through Disneyland Resort Parks and Streets of Anaheim
ANAHEIM, Calif. (September 3, 2007) – Carlos Carballo, 24, of Cathedral City, Calif., posted a time of 1:10:07 to lead the field of more than 13,000 registered runners to victory in the Disneyland Half Marathon.
The Half Marathon, affectionately dubbed “The Happiest Race on Earth,” took participants on a 13.1-mile landmark-filled route through the two Disneyland Resort theme parks – Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure – and the streets of Anaheim to the finish line in the Downtown Disney District. Some runners stopped mid-race to pose with Mickey Mouse and his pals for photos commemorating both the race and Disney Parks’ ongoing Year of a Million Dreams celebration. Half Marathon race finishers earned a special commemorative medal depicting Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland.
After crossing the finish line, Carballo, a graduate student at University of Southern California, said, “I love this course, and there were a lot of firsts for me. It was the first time I’d been in Disney’s California Adventure, and the first time I’d been in Angel Stadium. Being in the parks sort of takes you away from the pain of the race.”
Carballo came in just three minutes ahead of Jeff Huxhold, 28, of Reno, Nev., who finished second with a time of 1:14:09.
Suzy Schumacher, 38, of Phoenix, Ariz., was the women’s Half Marathon champion with a time of 1:24:07. “It’s a different way to see the parks,” she said. “I thought they’d be empty, but the workers were all incredibly loud and supportive!” The women’s second place finisher was Kim Mueller, 31, of San Diego, Calif., with a time of 1:26:35.
Jeff Ambos, 45, of Cottonwood, Ariz., earned a notable Masters Division (age 40+) win in the Half Marathon with a time of 1:14:52 and a fourth place overall ranking.
For the second year in a row, Christie Dubach, 45, of Atascadero, Calif., was the top women's Half Marathon Masters finisher. Her time this year was 1:35:39. Also repeating for a second year was Troy Davis, 32, of Queen Creek, Ariz., who finished first in the Half Marathon wheelchair division. His time this year was 1:10:35.
The Disneyland Half Marathon, hosted by the Disneyland Resort and the City of Anaheim, and presented by Kaiser Permanente, is part of the second annual Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend. The events throughout the weekend attracted more than 18,000 participants from 49 states and 13 countries, an increase of 3,000 from last year.
The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend provided a full weekend of activities for the whole family, including the Family Fun Run 5K and Kids’ Races, which took place on Sunday. This year’s 5K, titled “The Great Ratatouille Race,” was themed to the recently-released Disney?Pixar hit film Ratatouille. Along the route, adults, teens and tweens encountered their favorite characters from the movie, including Remy and Emile, and passed a specially-constructed Disneyland Resort version of the Arc de Triomphe. Even little runners (8 and under) joined in the weekend running fun with 100, 200 and 400-Yard Dashes. For more information and to view complete searchable race results visit www.disneylandhalfmarathon.com.
Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney's California Adventure – plus the Downtown Disney District comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort’s three guest-welcoming hotels are the luxurious 745-room Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, the magical 990-room Disneyland Hotel and the "day-at-the-beach" fun of the 502-room Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. For information on new attractions, the Year of a Million Dreams and vacations at Disneyland Resort visit www.disneyland.com, call (866) 60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.
Source: DAPs Magic Disney News – PRESS RELEASE
