Crowd of 12,000 Will Take in Disneyland at a Rapid Clip, but in One Long Line

Over the past half-century, Disneyland has hosted world leaders, Olympians, movie premiers and even a few political protests. On Sunday at 6 a.m., the “Happiest Place on Earth” becomes one of the fittest places on earth as 12,000 distance runners invade the park to compete in the inaugural Disneyland Half Marathon.

The 13.1-mile course winds through Disney’s California Adventure, around the Angel Stadium playing field and through the streets of Anaheim and Downtown Disney.

In the third mile, competitors will jog past Space Mountain, the Matterhorn and through Sleeping Beauty Castle. During their journey, runners will be entertained by Disney characters, street performers and bands.

The event, which sold out six months ago, has attracted runners and Disneyland fanatics from 49 states and 15 countries.

One of them is Christina Nickerson, a 32-year-old mother of four from Tucson and an annual pass-holder.

Nickerson, who has battled asthma and her weight most of her life, will be running her first half-marathon. She recently dropped 75 pounds, some of it during training.

“It’s important to me that such an accomplishment in my life takes place at Disneyland, my favorite place in the world,” she said. “I think it’ll be emotional, especially going around Main Street and coming through the castle.”

“The half-marathon is a great way to attract visitors to Anaheim and to our park at a down time for tourism in Southern California,” said Claire Bilby, Disneyland’s vice president of sales and distribution marketing.

She said the early morning event, which will be held before the rides open, will provide a boost for the park and surrounding community.

“Once the kids go back to school, it really slows down,” Bilby said.

Disneyland has hosted only one previous running event, a marathon in 1995. Disney officials have already committed to another half-marathon, moving next year’s event up to Labor Day weekend, and they are exploring the possibility of having shorter endurance runs.

david.mckibben@latimes.com