Galvan’s Victory at Princess Half Marathon Caps Three-Day Celebration at Disney
Over 11,000 runners participate in one of largest endurance race weekends geared towards women

E-mail this page  Printer-friendly page Related info: Disney's Princess Half Marathon Video

Posted Monday, 9 March, 2009

From Marques Edge and Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - (March 8, 2009) - In a perfect end to a fairy tale weekend, New Zealand Olympian Liza Hunter Galvan of San Antonio, Texas led over 7,500 women runners from around the world to victory at the inaugural Disney's Princess Half Marathon on Sunday. Galvan, 39, battled runner-up Nadezhda Tuptova of Russia for most of the 13.1 mile race through the Magic Kingdom and Epcot before cruising to the finish line in 1 hour, 18 minutes, 18 seconds. Tuptova (Gainesville, Fla.), 33, crossed the line in 1:19:24, while countrywoman Firaya Sultanova, 47, also from Gainesville, Fla. posted a time of 1:20:26 to finish third and first Master (40 and older).

Lilian Kroner (Monroe, N.Y.), 43, was second master and fourth overall in 1:22:23, and Jacqui Kapinowski from Point Pleasant, N.J. won the wheelchair division in 1:22:26.

Disney's Princess Half Marathon was the signature event that saw more than 11,000 women runners compete in various races that included the Royal Family 5K and the Princess Kids' Races, making the inaugural event one of the largest endurance race weekends geared towards women.

The weekend also involved a health and wellness expo that included renowned fitness experts leading seminars on training, racing and nutrition, and the latest running and fitness equipment. Participants and their guests experienced Princess meet and greets, a makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and a Princess-themed after party at Disney's Hollywood Studios with live entertainment and a special gift at the stroke of midnight. While the weekend is designed for women, more than 200 men participated on behalf of the women in their lives, and Jonathan Mederos of Miami was the first male cross the finish line in 1:16:17.

Inaugural Disney's Princess Half Marathon
Walt Disney World Resort, FL, Sunday, March 8, 2009

WOMEN
1) Liza Hunter Galvan (NZL), San Antonio, TX, 1:18:18
2) Nadezhda Tuptova (RUS), Gainesville, FL, 1:19:24
3) Firaya Sultanova (RUS), 47, Gainesville, FL, 1:20:26
4) Lilian Kroner, 43, Monroe, NY, 1:22:23
5) Jennifer Hanley-Pinto, Jacksonville, FL, 1:24:14

MEN
1) Jonathan Mederos, Miami, FL, 1:16:17
2) Chris Eschbach, Louisburg, NC, 1:25:11
3) Yutaka Shirai, Japan, 1:25:44

Full results at: www.DisneyPrincessHalfMarathon.com

Related info:
Disney's Princess Half Marathon Video

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