The Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend is a truly magical experience. From pre race training program support through post race celebrations, this weekend has a permanent spot on my race calendar. My blog, Medals & Tiaras, was also born out of the inspiration fostered from this race weekend.

I'm a huge Disney fan so the idea of being able to run through Disney is extremely appealing. I'm also a bit of a girly girl so I gladly handed over my credit card for the Disney Princess Half Marathon. First thing to note is that these races are not cheap. They are some of the most expensive races available, but with that comes an incredible experience that I am always comparing other races to. The 2019 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend started for me a few days before the half marathon, at the expo. Attending the expo is an incredible experience in itself. There are three stops each located in a separate building at the Wide World of Sports, one to pickup your race bib, one to pickup your race shirt and shop offerings from fitness brands, and one to shop runDisney specific merchandise. Many runners enjoy shopping the runDisney specific merchandise which can cause long lines and sold out merchandise. After picking up your race essentials, many runners stay at the expo to enjoy refreshments, participate in activities such as yoga or a talk from Olympian Jeff Galloway.

The morning of the race you can expect some of the earliest wake up times for a race. Races generally START at 5:30am and you must be in your corral prior to that. If you are not staying at a Disney property and are driving to the race, you must arrive and park by 4:00am. These early start times generally translate to a 2-2:30am wake up time. Once you have arrived and started the race, you can expect the course to be filled with race photographers, character photo opportunities, refreshments, and magic. The 2019 Princess Half Marathon course utilized Disney highways, the Magic Kingdom park, and Epcot to complete the 13.1 miles. At the finish line runners will be welcomed by characters (Minnie in my case) and given well designed, high quality finisher medals and refreshments. Post race activities include music and character meet and greets.

Overall, this is hands down my favorite race weekend. This weekend brings so many friendly and supportive runners, some amazing swag, and unforgettable memories. Put this race on your calendar at least once, but be prepared to get hooked!