EN
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – (March 7, 2010) – In a tight race, Gina Aalgaard Kelly bested more than 13,000 runners from around the world at Disney's Princess Half Marathon on Sunday morning. Kelly, from Lisbon, N.D., and runner-up Heather Schulz of Orlando overtook Nicole Falvo, of Grand Blanc, Mich., who led most of the 13.1 mile race, as the women entered Disney's Epcot theme park.
Aalgaard Kelly, 33, crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 23 minutes, 58 seconds and Schulz, 35, followed shortly in 1:24:21. Falvo, 35, crossed only 4 seconds later (1:24:25) to finish third at the second edition.
In the Masters division (40 and older), Mary Pardi (Falmouth, Maine), 40, won in 1:25:10 (4th woman overall), while Tricia Brookover-Braun, 42, from Palm Harbor, Fla. clocked a 1:27:51 to claim second place.
Disney's Princess Half Marathon, with more than 11,300 finishers, was the signature moment in a weekend full of events that saw more than 18,000 runners compete in various races that included Disney's Princess and The Frog Royal Family 5K and Disney's Kids' Races, making the event one of the largest endurance race weekends geared towards women. While the weekend is designed for women, more than 400 men participated on behalf of the princesses in their lives.
The weekend also involved Disney's Fit for a Princess Expo that was open to the general public. The expo, geared toward women's health and wellness, featured celebrity runner appearances, Disney characters and seminars on training, racing and nutrition, along with the opportunity to experience the latest in running and fitness equipment.
Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend is part of the Endurance Series at Walt Disney World Resort, which 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 Expedition Everest Challenge (June 12, 2010), Inaugural Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (Oct. 1-2, 2010), Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon (Jan. 6-9, 2011) and Champion 5K at ESPN the Weekend (February 2011).
Disney's 2nd Princess Half Marathon
Orlando, FL, Sunday, March 7, 2010
1) Gina Aalgaard Kelly (ND), 1:23:58
2) Heather Schulz (FL), 1:24:21
3) Nicole Falvo (MI), 1:24:25
MASTERS (40+)
1) Mary Pardi, 40, ME, 1:25:10
2) Tricia Brookover-Braun, 42, FL, 1:27:51
Complete results at: www.disneyprincesshalfmarathon.com
Source: RunningUSA
