Disney Princess Half Marathon

Disney Princess Half Marathon, You may do a double take this weekend as 18,000 Disney Princesses take to the roads of Walt Disney World for the second annual Disney's Princess Half Marathon. That's nearly twice as many as ran last year. A plus, because it's all for a good cause The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Also returning is Disney's Fit For A Princess Expo. It is open to the public and is a great place for women to learn about health and wellness. Find it at the newly re-branded ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

"Every woman wants their chance to feel like a princess and this event allows them to embrace the attributes Disney princesses embody: commitment, courage, determination, fantasy, perseverance and strength," said Disney Sports Area Manager Kathleen Duran. "This event is all about princesses and spreading the message of health and wellness to women of all fitness levels while incorporating the glamour and grace of the Disney princesses."

Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend is part of the Endurance Series at Walt Disney World Resort, which gives recreational athletes of all ages and abilities the chance to walk, jog, run, bike and swim their way "around the world." From marathons to road races to triathlons, athletes from across the country and around the world compete to stay in shape, achieve personal best times and raise donations for charitable causes. Popular Endurance Series events are Expedition Everest Challenge (June 12, 2010), Inaugural Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (Oct. 1-2, 2010), Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon (Jan. 6-9, 2011) and Champion 5k at ESPN the Weekend (February 2011).

More about this great event below the jump:

Nearly twice as many runners as last year are rushing to bring out their inner princess this weekend at Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker at Walt Disney World Resort.

More than 18,000 runners, including 13,000 for the half marathon, are registered for the three-day event aimed at women's health and wellness, making it one of the largest women-specific endurance events in the country.

Disney's Princess Half Marathon, which attracted over 11,000 for the inaugural weekend a year ago, involves Disney's Fit for a Princess Expo as well as two road races � Disney The Princess and the Frog Royal Family 5K and the signature 13.1-mile half marathon � through multiple theme parks. Kids in attendance can also participate in Disney's Royal Family Kids' Races.

Disney's Fit for a Princess Expo, free and open to the public, takes place at the newly re-launched ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Friday and Saturday. The expo, geared toward women's health and wellness, features celebrity runner appearances, Disney characters and seminars on training, racing and nutrition, along with the opportunity to experience the latest in running and fitness equipment.

Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend benefits The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), an organization dedicated to the fight against blood cancers. With the support of thousands of volunteers and participants in LLS's Team In Training program, Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend will help blood cancer patients live better, longer lives.