Ep 228 2026 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend Recap
Fireworks before sunrise and yoga in the cold marked the event. The finish line felt like a farewell. This Disneyland race weekend had a different kind of electricity.
This weeks intros are from Brandy from the 10K on her Birthday and Allison from the half from Disneyland. If you’d like to introduce an upcoming episode, please reach out to us. Contact us on our social media, email, or leave us a message on our hotline (727-266-2344).
Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend Recap
The weekend began before sunrise with yoga on the bricks in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. It was a chilly scene that set the tone for a race series filled with emotion and rare moments. Miss Piggy beamed in on the big screen. The Grand Californian’s instructor led a steady flow. Everyone learned how different down-dog feels at forty-something degrees.
The 5K reminded us why the west coast course is beloved. It offers quiet fireworks, a park-start and park-finish, and sunrise over Pixar Pier. A surprise “balloon lady” sighting and a late-course cut around Avengers Campus created some confusion, but the joy still landed. The 10K leaned into imagination—Sorcerer Mickey everywhere, Figment looping in our heads, and backstage Easter eggs like the Tower of Terror sign and A Bug’s Life props. Photo lines moved faster, and runners helped each other grab those castle shots when photographers cleared out near the back.
The half marathon tied it all together. Early laps through DCA, then a thoughtful route across Anaheim with out-and-backs that turned the race into a reunion. The 501st brought free hugs and big energy; third-shift custodial cast cheered like pros. We talk pacing with run-walk-run, efficient PhotoPass at small world and Millennium Falcon, and the thrill of a fast finish that also marked a 100th RunDisney medal. The DCA picnic-area meetup overflowed—cookies, bracelets, and the best conversations of the weekend—proof that this community keeps the magic alive long after the medals are hung.
The Race Report Sponsored by Stoked Metabolic Coaching
We close with the question on everyone’s mind: will runDisney return to Disneyland? Some of us think yes, but not soon; others felt a real goodbye in Carissa’s voice. Either way, the stories, tips, and friendships from this weekend are here to keep you moving. If you had a favorite moment from the races—or a prediction about what’s next—drop us a note, subscribe, and share this with a friend who needs a little start line magic.
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