Tinker Bell Half Marathon

The Tinker Bell Half Marathon took off for its second flight with over 14,000 runners on January 20, 2013.  The excitement around the inaugural race in 2012 was huge and the sophomore event did not disappoint.  The RunDisney race held in DisneyLand celebrates women, sass, and a love of running.

Photo stolen from SkinnyRunner.

As one of the race announcers for the RunDisney series, I flew out to Anaheim for all the weekend's events.  The big "finale" was the Tinker Bell Half Marathon.  

My wings are ready.

At the start line Rudy and I bantered with the guests, counted the tutu's, interviewed Sean Astin from "Lord of the Rings", and sent off 5 waves of runners.  The race had a very early start time of 5am, but most athletes looked ready to go.

At Disney races if you're not in costume, then you're in the minority.  Almost as fun as race training is figuring out what costume to wear for the race. Before the start I met up with Kelly from According to Kelly. She stayed near the Tinker Bell theme, but creatively dressed up as Mr. Smee who is also from Peter Pan.

There were tutu's and neon green galore.  Before the race I gave a shout out to my Mom saying, "Look for my Mom out there.  She's the lady wearing a green skirt." See how's that's funny...because there were about 5,000 green skirts...yes...no....moving on.....

In my 9 years as a RunDisney announcer, this gentleman takes the award for the most creative costume.  He dressed as Walt Disney!  I had to stop announcing on stage to get a photo.

Once the runners were off, Rudy and I headed to the finish line.  I picked up some coffee and a snack and snagged a picture with my co-workers.

We were just "goofing" off. 

But in actuality this is a very busy time for Rudy and I. Usually before the finish we are scrambling to get information from the course on who the leader is.  We want to make sure we triumphantly shout the right name!  The 2013 Tinker Bell Half Marathon winner was Angela Escay who won it in 1:24:10. She also set a course record.

Another record that was set?  I think you already know...MOM HAD A PR! 

My Mom ran her 3rd half marathon and scored a shiny new PR of 2:33:37. (You can read more about Mom in this week's motivation post).

Rudy and I really enjoy "celebrating" in all the runners as we call it.  

Rudy and I.

If you're not a runner maybe you don't realize it, but the victory at a half marathon isn't just for those first few runners.  I always laugh when I tell someone I did a race and they ask, "Did you win?". There are so many victories at a Disney race. First finish, fastest finish, first finish in costume, first finish with a friend.  Winning has so many definitions and Rudy and I get to cheer in all of those victories.  

I was standing in the finish chute and I watched two girls hugging and crying at the finish.  I asked them how they felt and they told me that they were sisters and that 10 years ago one sister was diagnosed with cancer. They didn't think she would live, let alone run a half marathon.  Well she did and crossing that finish line together was a moment those girls had been dreaming of for years.

There's so much magic at a RunDisney event.  Our next race is the Princess Half Marathon on February 24, 2013.  Look for a blog giveaway this week to help with your race costume preparations...hmmmm....

What's the best race costume you have seen?

Love and pixie dust,

Carissa & Kyle

Related posts:

• Walt Disney World Marathon 2012
• Tinkerbell Half Marathon 2012
• Princess Half Marathon 2012
• 2012 DisneyLand Half Marathon