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Booth’s Record Day at Disney is a Family Affair

Darrell Fry

by , Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World Resort

Say this for Rachel Booth: she sure knows how to make a grand entrance.

(FEB. 26, 2012): Rachel Booth, 31, of Mandeville, La., crosses the finish line to capture the 2012 Disney's Princess Half Marathon title Feb. 26, 2012 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Booth, with an official time of 1:18:11, bested a field of 19,000 registered runners for the 4th annual 13.1-mile event. A record 27,000 athletes took part in a variety of Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend events, including a 5K race and a Health and Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Disney's Princess Half Marathon is part of the 'runDisney' series of endurance events that take place throughout the year at both Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. (Preston Mack, photographer)

Booth of Mandeville, La., signed up to run her first Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World Resort this weekend and made quite an impression by not only winning the 13.1-mile race in record time but she also achieved a “coast-to-coast’’ milestone. The reigning two-time winner of the Disneyland Half Marathon in Anaheim, Ca., Booth became the first person to capture women’s titles at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

It was quite a feat. Booth didn’t just win; she dominated, leading the race from start to finish. In fact, she likened the race to a “good morning run.’’ About the only thing she didn’t do Sunday was beat herself. Her winning time of 1:18:11 was just a tad slower than her winning time of 1:18:01 at the Disneyland Half Marathon last fall.

(FEB. 26, 2012): Fireworks light up the early morning sky Feb. 26, 2012, to mark the start of fourth annual Disney's Princess Half Marathon in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Sunday's 13.1-mile event took athletes through Walt Disney World Resort, including routes in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot theme parks. A record 27,000 athletes took part in a variety of Princess Half Marathon Weekend events, including a 5K race and a Health and Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Disney's Princess Half Marathon is part of the 'runDisney' series of endurance events that take place throughout the year at both Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. (Preston Mack, photographer)

Still, she crossed the finish line amid a blizzards of confetti, music, cheers and Mickey and Minnie Mouse. And in typical Disney storybook fashion, it wasn’t the record time or the bi-coastal milestone that mattered to her the most, but rather having her family – her husband, daughter and son – on hand that made the moment memorable.

“This was a lot of fun to have my two children there to enjoy the whole experience and just to see mommy cross the finish line with Minnie and Mickey,” Booth said. “…It definitely has a little bit of a special place in my heart.’’

Mine too.

Destinations: Walt Disney World Resort

Topics: Special Events

Comments

  • Running, family & Disney go together wonderfully! I am glad she was able to come up with the winning combination. I loved talking with her at the Social Media MeetUp and learning that even elite runners do training runs with baby joggers! Congratulations Booth on a great race and runDisney on a great race weekend!

  • This is such an awesome photo, love Mickey jumping up in excitement and Booth looks wonderful, overall after having just ran 13.1 miles!

  • I agree with Melissa, that is a great photo…I wish I could look that good after running 13.1 miles! Congratulations to Ms. Booth and all the finishers!

    And catching Mickey in the air makes it even better. LOL!

  • That is a really lovely picture of Booth!

  • Mickey looks good in the air!

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