A weekend of sparkle, sneakers, and shared heart. Princess Half Marathon Weekend brought out everything we love about runDisney—creative costumes, cool-weather miles, and castle magic—but also the kind of community you can feel in your bones. We navigated an expo frenzy as Brooks’ princess-themed shoes sent lines snaking across the building, watched Disney pivot fast to keep characters and bands on course during a misty 10K, and soaked in small moments that turned into big memories: a family’s first 5K together, a triumphant TinkerBob, and the scent of BoardWalk bacon drifting through a fast, happy morning.

The half marathon became a quiet masterpiece. Overcast skies, steady breezes, and a surprise wave from Cinderella, the Prince, and Fairy Godmother lifted runners through those famous Magic Kingdom miles. Near the finish, a semicircle of fairy godmothers dusted us with wishes, and the course felt less like a race and more like a rite of passage. Some of us set PRs. Others walked every step on purpose. All of us leaned on run-walk-run, hydration, and patience—the essentials Jeff Galloway taught us so many times.

And then the finish line gave us a moment we’ll never forget. A chair where Jeff once stood filled with Mickey gloves, ribbons, and a lone Gymboss. Pacers gathered with flags, cheering wave after wave just as Jeff would, offering thumbs-ups and “you did it” to faces still catching their breath. When the sun finally broke through, it felt like a blessing on a weekend that was both hard and healing. We also check in on races from Tel Aviv to Seattle and Atlanta, sharing wins, decade PRs, and lessons that carry beyond the parks.

If you ran, cheered, or simply needed a reminder that miles can mend, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a nudge, and tell us: What’s your favorite Princess Weekend moment—or your best Galloway memory? We’d love to hear it.

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