runDisney Princess Half Marathon draws ESPN employees

The Disney Princess Half Marathon held this past weekend (Feb. 19-21) is one of the countryâ€™s largest women-focused running events of the year and boasted over 37,000 runners from 26 different countries. The weekend includes kids races, a Princess 5K, 10K and Half Marathon and many participants run in more than one event. The Disney Princess Half brings together family and friends for fitness from across the country. This year, ESPN VP Corporate Communications Katina Arnold (right) ran the 10K with her 10-year old daughter Alexandra, after making a commitment to train and get fit together. In addition to special pixie dust, the race provides motivation along the way from Disney princesses including Cinderella, â€œIf you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.â€ The winner of the Disney Princess Half Shannon Crawford, a senior from the University of Virginia summed up her participation in Disneyâ€™s race weekend, "I really love Disney princesses, and I also love running," Crawford said. "I just decided that this was the best of both worlds." Disneyâ€™s Princess Half Marathon Weekend brings women (and some men) of all ages together to participate in a magical event designed just for them. The participant age ranged from 85 â€“ 14 years old and 89 percent of the runners were female. For Arnold, her circle of family, friends and coworkers who participate in runDisney events continue to grow. From left to right: runDisneyâ€™s Aubrey Hang, ESPNâ€™s Ashley Spears, Sandy Del Aguila, Katina Arnold, Mimi Stanton, Darlene Smith and Jackie Hillback. The Disney Princesses are the inspiration for the weekendâ€™s costumes during the events. There is princess spirit everywhere and many women dress up as their favorite princesses. The event focuses on the attributes every princess possesses: commitment, courage, determination, fantasy, perseverance, and strength. See the Disney Blog for more princess spirit photos.

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