She was running in the event in aid of national charity Meningitis Research Foundation and her six-year-old daughter Hollie took part in the children's 200-yard fun run.

Debbie flew to Florida for a short holiday but put her vacation on hold for awhile to join 13,000 runners at the Disney World theme park for a 4am start.

Mickey Mouse sounded the starting gun and the runners set out on a course lit by the neon lights of the park. Cheered on by spectators and a host of Disney characters, Debbie completed the 26.2-mile course in and around Disney World in a time of four hours 45 minutes.

A veteran of four previous marathons, Debbie's fifth race over the distance raised £500 as part of an ongoing fundraising drive for her chosen charity.

In the last few years she has raised almost £15,000 for the Meningitis Research Foundation, a cause close to her heart since daughter Hollie suffered from meningitis in 2003.

Thankfully Hollie recovered, but Debbie knows others are not so lucky and is continuing her fundraising by running the Flora London Marathon on April 13, where she hopes to beat the time she achieved in the heat and humidity of Florida.

Debbie said: "I'd recommend the Disney World marathon to anyone. The course was amazing. Where else could you see Mickey Mouse and Goofy cheering for you or hear trumpet players serenading you?

"This race was part of my build-up to the Flora London Marathon. Now I'm back in the UK and back in training."