First-time entrant James Lander of Fullerton was the men’s winner of the 10th annual Disneyland Half Marathon, finishing six minutes, 20 seconds ahead of runner-up Valdir Aparecido Bueno of Brazil.
Lander completed the 13.1-mile course in 1:08.56. Bueno was second in 1:15:16 and Hunter Sapienza of Seattle third in 1:16.46.
The 36-year-old Lander had watched his wife run multiple runDisney races, but had not run one until Sunday.
“I loved this race, even though I had never done it before, because everyone has an amazing time,” said Lander, a chiropractor who said he runs two half-marathons a year.
“I see people laughing and smiling the entire way versus most races where everyone looks like they are killing themselves.”
Momoko Tanaka from Japan was the women’s winner, finishing in 1:21:30 to become the race’s first international winner.
Defending women’s champion Jennifer Berry of Denver was second in 1:23.21. Beth Woodward of Orrville, Ohio was third in 1:25:05.
The 13.1-mile course for what organizers have dubbed “The Happiest Race on Earth” took runners from Disney California Adventure Park to Disneyland Park, then onto the streets of Anaheim, winding through Angel Stadium. The flat, loop course concluded at the Disneyland Hotel.
There were Disney characters and entertainment along the course.
The field included more than 400 runners who have completed all 10 Disneyland Half Marathons, according to organizers.
There were 15,228 finishers — 9,486 women and 5,742 men.
— City News Service