(CNS) Updated Sunday September 5, 2010 - 1:46pm
Blistering records were set by two Northern Californians today as they won the fifth annual Disneyland Half Marathon, the"Happiest Race On Earth.'
Rachel Booth, 29, of Mountain View, shaved 4 minutes and 4 seconds off the previous record by completing the 13.1-mile course in 1:15:19. Paul Ngeny Ngeny, 31, of Auburn, completed the course in 1:07:24, which was 41 seconds faster than the previous record run from Downtown Disney to Anaheim Stadium and back.
"The course was very nice and comfortable,' Ngeny said. "I liked running through the parks and all the music. I could keep on going for a hundred miles.'
"It was great. Magical,' Booth said. "It's in Disneyland and it's just a happy day. Always enjoyable. Everyone was so loud and cheering.'
Eric Marenburg, 27, of San Diego was second in the mens' race with 1:12:10. Theresa Lowry, 36, of San Diego was the second place woman with a time of 1:19:05.
A record field of more than 14,000 were registered for the race, with runners from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 15 countries.
Registrants from Southern California made up just 50.7 percent of the field -- the lowest in the race's five-year history as more runners traveled from outside the area to participate.
The race sells out its registration capacity each year, and reached capacity in late spring this year.
The flat loop course began near Downtown Disney, continued through Disney's Califonia Adventure, passed Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Matterhorn, then used Anaheim streets past the Honda Center and though Angel Stadium, and finished back at Downtown Disney.
Live entertainers, including high school marching bands and Disney characters, were along the course to provide inspiration for runners.
The Anaheim Community Foundation received a monetary donation in connection with the race.
The foundation provides funding for a variety of programs, services and facilities enriching lives of the city's residents that are not ordinarily supported by government.
