Video: Run along in Disney's Princess marathons

Disney held two princess related marathons on March 6 and 7, 2010, and Orlando Attractions Magazine subscriber Don Gworek ran along to bring you these two videos. While the races were designed for women, more than 400 men participated on behalf of the princesses in their lives.

The Princess and the Frog Royal Family 5K was held on Saturday at Epcot. It was a fun-filled event the whole family could participate in. Starting backstage, the race ran through all 11 countries in World Showcase, then through Future World, out the entrance, then back into Epcot and ending backstage.

The Princess Half Marathon was held on Sunday. The race started just outside of the Epcot parking lot. Runners then proceeded up World Drive towards the Magic Kingdom. Upon entering the Magic Kingdom, participants passed through Tomorrowland, Cinderella Castle and Frontierland. Participants then proceed down World Drive to make their return to Epcot. The course took participants through Future World and past Spaceship Earth on their way to the finish.

In a tight race, Gina Aalgaard Kelly bested more than 13,000 runners from around the world in the half marathon. Kelly (Lisbon, N.D.), 33, and second place finisher Heather Schulz of Orlando, overtook Nicole Falvo, of Grand Blanc, Mich., who led most of the race, as the women entered Epcot. Kelly crossed the finish line in 1:23:58 and Schulz, 35, came in with a time of 1:24:21. Falvo, 35, crossed only four seconds later (1:24:25) to finish third. In the Masters Division, Mary Pardi (Falmouth, Maine.), 40, won in a time of 1:25:10. Tricia Brookover-Brau from Palm Harbor, Fla. crossed at 1:27:51 to claim second place.

More than 18,000 runners, including 13,000 for the half marathon, were 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 and nearly twice as many runners as last year’s event.

Disney’s Royal Family Kids’ Races and the Fit for a Princess Expo were also held during the weekend.