Actor Sean Astin to lead sold out field of more than 17,000 registered runners along half marathon course through all-new Cars Land at newly reopened Disney California Adventure

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Aug. 23, 2012) – The Happiest Race on Earth just got happier as runners in the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend will race Sept. 1 and 2 through the newly reopened Disney CaliforniaAdventure Park, including Cars Land.

More than 17,000 registered half marathon runners, including actor Sean Astin (The Goonies, Rudy, The Lord of the Rings), will get to motor down Route 66 through Cars Land as they start their 13.1 mile journey that takes them through Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.  In addition, runners will pass by the Matterhorn and through Sleeping Beauty Castle, all before hitting the streets of Anaheim and running through Angel Stadium of Anaheim.  All along the route runners will be greeted by cheering fans, Disney characters, music and live entertainment.

This year’s sold-out half marathon field includes runners ages 14 – 78 from all 50 states and 19 countries.  While all finishers receive a Disneyland Half Marathon medal, more than 2,800 who ran a runDisney race at Walt Disney World Resort earlier this year, will qualify to receive a second medal – the runDisney Coast to Coast Race Challenge medal.

In addition to the half marathon, other weekend events include the Cars Land 5K Rally, runDisney Kids’ Races and a two-day Health and Fitness Expo where visitors can check out the latest in fitness apparel, running gear and high tech gadgets as well as training information from runDisney training consultant Jeff Galloway, former Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton and well-known running authors Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell.

runDisney is a series of events providing runners unique opportunities to run various distances through Disney theme parks.  Race participants earn Disney-themed medals, experience legendary Disney entertainment and guest service and ultimately celebrate their accomplishments with a Disney vacation.  The original event in the series, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna, takes place in January followed by the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend in February, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler in September and the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend in November.  Disneyland hosts the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend in January and the Disneyland Half Marathon in September during Labor Day Weekend.  More than 100,000 running enthusiasts participate in runDisney events each year. For more information, visit runDisney.com and follow us on Facebook (runDisney) and Twitter @runDisney.