At Nearly 90 Years Old, Ellen Lem Finishes Disneyland 5K During Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

At Nearly 90 Years Old, Ellen Lem Finishes Disneyland 5K During Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

For proof that runDisney races are for everyone, look no further than Ellen Lem, a nearly 90-year-old woman from Anaheim, Calif., who participated last week in her first-ever 5K race at the 11th Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna. Lem is one of the oldest runners inrunDisney history and crossed the finish line arm-in-arm with her daughters in a time of 1:13:05.

Her participation in a runDisney race is just the beginning of what makes her an inspiration to us all.

At Nearly 90 Years Old, Ellen Lem Finishes Disneyland 5K During Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

Lem, who turns 90 this November, grew up in Asia during World War II. She and her family fled their native Burma and lived as refugees in China. There, she served as a volunteer translator for the American Red Cross and would meet her eventual husband, an American soldier. After years of communicating via letters – and briefly losing touch when she moved to Hong Kong – Lem would eventually reunite with her prince, get married and move to the United States. She even went on to become a Disneyland Resort cast member in the 1970s.

For the past 40 years, Lem and her family have called Southern California home. While she has outlived her husband and friends, she is motivated to stay healthy and active so she can experience the joy of her grandchildren completing college.

At Nearly 90 Years Old, Ellen Lem Finishes Disneyland 5K During Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

Lem walks 10 laps a day around Juarez Park near her home with her two adult daughters, Caroline and Bella – past runDisney participants. When she started outpacing her daughters, they signed her up for the 5K. After her turbulent early life in Asia, Lem viewed the upcoming race not as a challenge, but as something she can finally be in control of and do for herself.

Check out the video of Lem’s experience preparing for and participating in the Disneyland 5K during Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend.

About The Author

Mickey News

Avid fan of Disney and especially Walt's original park, Disneyland! Love to share the passion with others and help bring a little magic into their lives.

Walt’s Quotes

“The important thing is the family. If you can keep the family together - and that's the backbone of our whole business, catering to families - that's what we hope to do.”
by Walt Disney

This Day In History

1924 Alice's Spooky Adventure released
1938 The Moth and The Flame (a Silly Symphony) released
1976 Discovery Island (formerly Treasure Island) opened at Walt Disney World
1995 Blizzard Beach opened at Walt Disney World
2000 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril roller coaster changed to be permanently running backwards
2000 Tarzan Encounter stage show began daily performances at Disneyland Paris
2001 Walt Disney World's Dixie Landings became part of the Port Orleans resort
2001 The Main Street Electrical Parade finished it's run at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom