Running a half-marathon had long been a personal goal for Melissa Morton.And when she learned there was a race that could help children with a rare genetic disorder she knew it was time to pull out her sneakers and tutu.Ms Morton will race in the Disney Princess Half Marathon in Orlando, Florida on Sunday.She’ll be joined by friends Rachelle O’Neil, Gwen Haller, Michelle Hajek and Sheila Gazzard.Their efforts will raise funds for US charity Girl Power 2 Cure, which is dedicated to increasing awareness about Rett Syndrome. The neurological disorder usually affects girls between the ages of one and three; some sufferers are unable to speak, walk or use their hands.Some high-profile cases have helped to spread awareness about the disease.Celebrity footballer Wayne Rooney’s 14-year-old sister-in-law died from Rett’s Syndrome last month.Ms Morton learned about the syndrome when her five-year-old niece Elle, from Ontario, Canada, started experiencing delays in her development.“She had all her normal milestones until 18 months but then they noticed she lost some of what she already learned.“[Rett Syndrome] was pretty much the worst thing she could have, but it was almost a relief to know what it was rather than to have no idea why she was having these delays or anything.”Ms Morton then started doing her own research on the Internet, where she found out about the Disney Princess Half Marathon.The race gives women of all ages the chance to dress in princess costumes for the sake of female bonding, and race from Epcot Centre to the Magic Kingdom and back.Asked why she was taking part, Ms Gazzard said: “For me it was about the fun of having a girl’s trip and to support a very worthy cause.”Ms Morton said it was one of the ways she thought of raising money for children like Elle. Scientists are researching how to find a cure for humans after succeeding in curing lab mice with the syndrome.Her brother has set up a charity in Elle’s honour and recently held a silent auction and hockey game, which raised close to $34,000.Ms Morton and her friends raised more than $4,500 at a fundraiser and silent auction held last week at Muse.Useful website: www.ref4rett.com.