LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Feb. 22, 2012) – For the fourth straight year, a capacity field is expected to take part this weekend in Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend, the largest women-specific event in the nation.

More than 27,000 registered runners – 5,000 more than last year – will run in a variety of events at Walt Disney World Resort during the weekend, culminating with the half marathon, which is expected to draw more than 19,500 runners for the 13.1-mile journey through Magic Kingdom and Epcot theme parks.  Along the route, runners from all 50 states and 24 countries will experience signature Disney entertainment, Disney Characters, and of course, run through Cinderella Castle.  Princesses of all ages are welcome, this year the youngest participant is 14 years of age and two ladies are 78 years young.

“Princess Weekend brings women of all ages together from around the world to experience the ultimate girls’ weekend,” said Kathleen Duran, runDisney Sports Area Manager.  “We are excited to have more and more women participating in a healthy and active lifestyle and proud to provide the opportunity for them to come together to share their passion and celebrate women empowerment.”

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend includes the Disney Tangled Royal Family 5K and Royal Family Kids’ Races on Saturday and Disney’s Princess Half Marathon on Sunday.  The weekend also includes the Disney Fit for a Princess Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, featuring the latest running fashion, equipment and a speaker series featuring running experts such as official runDisney training consultant Jeff Galloway.

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon is the second women’s focused runDisney event weekend.  The Tinker Bell Half Marathon takes place in January at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA.  Click on www.rundisney.com for more information or to register for a runDisney event.