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. 22, 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 takesthem 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 and well-known running authors Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell.