Disney Princess Half Marathon: A Magical, Moving Experience

Last week, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals got to meet thousands of princesses (and quite a few princes) at the Disney Princess Half Marathon, held at the Walt Disney World Resort. It was a first-time experience for many runners, and the first year our charity served as the event presenter!

CMN Hospitals has a 27-year partnership with Disney, which has ranged from televised events from Disneyland in the 1980s to a PGA Golf Classic and, of course, our annual Celebration event featuring our Champion ambassadors. The chance to be affiliated with this "magical, moving experience" was a natural evolution in our partnership and a great opportunity to spread the word about what we do for local children's hospitals.

Over the course of three days, the race Expo allowed a few CMN Hospitals staffers to engage with thousands of runners about our mission to save and improve kids' lives. Booth visitors got to meet families with a Miracle Story to share about their hospital, including honorary Miracle Mom runner Holly Smith. Holly participated over the weekend with her 5-year-old son Braden, born premature at our Network's All Children's Hospital in Tampa. Miracle Balloon "chEAR" signs were aplenty, and hundreds dedicated theirs to wave on the race sidelines.

And we had one very special "princess" in attendance — tiara included! Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri kicked off the Half Marathon morning events by wishing runners a great race. Walking the talk, CMN Hospitals president and CEO John Lauck ran the race to the finish.

We'll be returning next year to this fabulous event, and look forward to the 1,000 participants who will run and raise funds on behalf of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.