Rise and Run

A half marathon through Hobbiton sounds like pure fantasy until you hear what it’s really like underfoot. We’re joined by Kerry Flynn, a lifelong Lord of the Rings fan and seasoned half marathoner, to break down the Middle Earth Halfling Half Marathon in New Zealand: the small-field logistics, the afternoon start, the trail terrain on a working farm, and the very real elevation that turns “cute themed race” into an earned finish. She also shares what surprised her most, how photo ops and characters work outside the Run Disney machine, and why the post-race celebration feels like a perfectly on-brand reward.

Before we head to Middle Earth, we do a Springtime Surprise training check-in and cover community announcements, including Jeff Galloway memorial run details and our plans for a special tribute show. Then we tackle fresh Run Disney news with reactions to the Summer Virtual Series themes, the medals, the extras in the box, and the big question of virtual races versus saving for a live weekend at Walt Disney World.

We wrap it all up with our Disney Movie March Madness finale and a stacked race report from the Rise and Run community, plus a spotlight chat with Tom Stokes on what most runners miss when they hit a plateau: underfueling, skipping strength work, and training without a year-round plan that matches your race calendar. If you’re into Disney running, destination races, run-walk-run strategy, and real-world training talk, this one has it all. Subscribe, share with a run buddy, and leave a review, then tell us: what’s the most “impossible” race you’d actually train for?

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You know that moment late in a runDisney race when your legs are toast, your brain is negotiating, and then you turn a corner and hear a choir lifting the whole road? We sit down with director Zach and students from the East River High School Choir, one of the groups that brings big, joyful sound to the final mile at Walt Disney World. They share how the runDisney relationship started, what Disney Entertainment actually means when they ask for a “gospel choir,” and how song choices are designed to push runners to the finish line.

We get into the real logistics too: a 2:45 AM school call time, warming up before sunrise, performing for hours, and timing the start of singing to runner flow. The students tell us what shocks them every time, from elaborate costumes and selfie stops to the emotional shift when a tired runner perks up, smiles, and starts moving again. If you have ever called the choir your “last-mile fuel,” you will hear exactly why that impact is real.

Then we pivot into pure community fun with Round 2 of our Disney animated features March Madness bracket, complete with debates, surprises, and Patreon tiebreakers. We also bring back Podcast We Listen To with a great chat featuring Peter and Kelly from The Lowdown On The Plus-Up, a theme park podcast packed with deep history, wild connections, and stories that get way darker than you’d expect from an attraction deep dive.

We wrap with updates, challenge results, and a loaded race report spanning first races, PRs, tough-weather wins, and even a 100-mile attempt. If you’re training for Springtime Surprise or just need a reminder that community can carry you farther than you think, hit play, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more runners can find us.

East River HS Choir
The Lowdown On The Plus Up

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Registration day doesn’t just test your internet speed, it tests your nerves, your backup plans, and who you can text when the queue refuses to move. We share exactly how the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend sign-ups played out for our crew, including the moments that went sideways, the workarounds that still worked, and the community trust that helped multiple friends land the races they wanted. We also break down the sellout times and talk about what to do if you got shut out, from charity options to alert tools, plus a clear warning about social media scams claiming they can “transfer” bibs. 

From there, we shift into one of our favorite traditions: Rise and Run March Madness. This year’s bracket is all Disney and Pixar animated movies, seeded using Rotten Tomatoes scores with Patreon votes powering the play-in games and acting as the tiebreaker when our panel splits. Expect soundtrack love, nostalgia, a few surprise upsets, and plenty of opinions you will want to argue with on your next run. 

We wrap with a full race report and a standout spotlight featuring Holly, who takes us through the New York City Half Marathon with New York Road Runners. She covers the Javits Center expo, start-area logistics, the cold morning that turns into perfect racing weather, and the unforgettable stretch over the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan, Times Square, and Central Park, plus how she clocks a new PR. 

If you’re training for runDisney, planning destination races, or just want smarter prep, this one has you covered. Subscribe, share with a running friend, and leave a review with your hottest bracket take.

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Tokyo Marathon looks like a postcard until you remember one detail that can change everything: the cutoffs are based on gun time. We sit down with several of our friends fresh off a plane from Japan to get the kind of Tokyo Marathon recap runners crave, the stuff you can’t learn from a highlight reel. They share how they got in (lottery vs charity), how they handled jet lag, what the expo is really like, and the cultural surprises that made Tokyo feel so different from any other World Marathon Majors weekend.

Then we get into race morning reality: navigating to the start, corrals, bathrooms that are somehow both legendary and organized, hydration rules, and what it feels like to run with strict checkpoints hanging over your head. You’ll hear the strategies that helped them stay calm, the moments that made the course memorable, and why that final stretch can feel like the longest kilometer of your life. There are PRs, happy tears, and a lot of respect for the planning it takes to finish strong.

We also zoom back to runDisney life with Marathon Weekend registration coming up, a candid talk about whether your first Dopey Challenge should also be your first marathon, and a timely charity spotlight with the Special Forces Foundation on how their runDisney charity bibs work plus practical fundraising ideas. If you’re mapping out your next big race goal, this one is packed with travel tips, training truth, and community support.

Subscribe, share this with a running friend who’s eyeing a major, and leave a review if the Rise and Run family has helped your journey. What’s the one race you’d fly across the world to run?

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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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The news hit like a thunderclap: Jeff Galloway, the voice behind run-walk-run and a steady light at so many runDisney start lines, has passed away. We pause to honor the coach who made marathons feel possible, share early thoughts through the shock, and invite everyone at Princess Weekend to carry his legacy in the miles ahead.

From there, we shift into a packed, upbeat show that keeps community at the center. We break down the new Marathon Weekend artwork and what Donald’s 30th half marathon anniversary might mean for medal design and race-day energy. Then we revisit Springtime Surprise medals—initially “simple,” until we spot the glitter and fluid movement that will pop in person. On the expo front, we debate the Brooks Princess releases: Rapunzel braids on laces, bold character palettes, why specific IP sells better than weekend branding, and where a Merida colorway could still shine. It’s practical talk for anyone timing their expo line or eyeing limited drops.

Our spotlight guest, Kristen of Running in Makeup, returns with real-world wisdom. After an injury and a purposeful pause from filming, she details how stepping back sharpened training, improved form, and delivered a 30-minute marathon PR. We trade chaotic race-morning tales (forgotten insoles!), celebrate inventive costumes (a Joffrey’s coffee cup for the win), and lean into her post-long-run Dr Pepper ritual rooted in Baylor and Waco lore. The heart of it: how runners balance creativity, goals, and recovery without losing joy.

We close with a sweeping Princess roll call and a coast-to-coast race report: Vegas lights and PRs, a gritty urban ultra in Ocala navigating painted horse statues, and the beloved Gasparilla challenges with donuts, sprinklers, and rainy-day grit. Whether you’re chasing a first 5K or stacking a multi-race weekend, you’ll find tips, laughs, and a reminder of why we show up for one another—especially now.

If this moved you, subscribe, share with a running friend, and leave a review. Tell us: how will you honor Jeff in your next run?

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What if every step you took felt like a small miracle you could share? That’s the energy running through this episode as we move from Princess Weekend prep into one of the most inspiring stories we’ve ever hosted. We kick things off with training touchpoints, expo strategy, and course notes for the Run Disney Princess 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon—plus our meetup details, virtual queue tips, and the can’t-miss Main Street moment for first-timers. If you’re mapping out corrals, merch runs, or yoga logistics, we’ve got your plan.

Then we sit down with Amanda Ferrin—The Walking Miracle—whose life with a rare autoimmune disease didn’t end her story; it sharpened it. Amanda shares how a spontaneous 7K in Denver led to a last-minute Disneyland 10K, a Dopey bib through charity, and a season of marathons from London to New York. She explains scleroderma’s impact with honesty and warmth, talks about living with constant pain, and how moving—often dancing—through miles brings relief, dopamine, and community. Her signature sequin jacket isn’t a costume; it’s a choice to celebrate every day she gets.

This conversation holds more than race talk. When Amanda needed specialized surgery and IV antibiotic therapy, the runDisney community rallied overnight to fund it—turning hope into action and a bill into a lifeline. We hear what recovery looks like now, the races she’s eyeing next (Rome, Paris, London, and the New York City Half), and why joy, presence, and kindness matter more than pace. Along the way, we share a polished Princess Weekend guide—expo hours, Brooks drops, transport windows, photo tips—and a lively Race Report packed with PRs, scenic routes, runway 5Ks, and hot chocolate finishes.

Subscribe for weekly stories, race guides, and real talk from a community that runs on heart. If this episode moved you, share it with a friend and leave a review—what moment will you carry into your next run?

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A good mantra can change a season, and ours hits different: earn it in the winter, win it in the spring. We start with a candid weather check and slide straight into the nuts and bolts of racing life—updated Wine & Dine registration flows, random queue placement, why sellout times barely budged, and how our community rallied with Zoom rooms, phone trees, and charity backups  We map out Princess Weekend long runs, Springtime Surprise magic miles, and the kind of speed work that shakes off a post-Dopey lull and brings your spring fitness back online.

Then everything sharpens into one story. Heather, a push-rim athlete many of you know, takes us inside the Donna 110—eight laps Saturday and a marathon Sunday—finished in historic Florida cold with frozen hydration lines and sheets of ice. She shares how triple-stack long runs, bike guides, a coach pacing a late lap, and a brand-new custom chair made the difference. The result: the first wheelchair finisher in race history, the only woman finisher this year, and a heady mix of grit, humor, and joy that included communion at mile one and counting dogs to stay present. Her perspective on adaptive sport is powerful and refreshingly inclusive: we’re all out here doing hard things, visible or not, and the win is showing up with purpose.

We round things out with Loopy Looper team interest surging, Tom’s strength challenge for accountability and smarter training, and Fluffy Fizzies returning to the Expo with upgraded foot care, themed bath bombs, and easy preorder pickup. The race report delivers a streak of firsts and PRs—from stadium sprints to donut runs and frigid New England grit—that remind us how many ways there are to measure progress. Subscribe, share with a running friend, and drop your spring goal in a review—what are you earning this winter so you can win in the spring?

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Fireworks before sunrise, yoga in the cold, and a finish line that felt like a farewell—this Disneyland race weekend had a different kind of electricity. We open with Miss Piggy’s cameo on the castle screen and roll straight into the expo’s virtual queue scramble, a quick detour through misplaced bib drama, and a check-in with Jeff and Barbara Galloway that left us optimistic and grateful. Between merch scarcity, the Dumbo hoodie frenzy, and smarter PhotoPass ops, the weekend balanced magic with mechanics in classic runDisney fashion.

The 5K reminded us why the west coast course is beloved: 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.

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.

Manny Runs Disney

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Confetti at the finish is only part of the story. We sit down with Walt Disney World Marathon champion Matt Hensley to trace the path from family running roots and college grind to a smart, tactical win built on adaptation, fueling, and a decisive late-race move. Matt walks us through race-week realities—working the expo, long park days, heavy legs—and explains how dew point data and small early adjustments can save a marathon when heat sneaks in. He opens his playbook on fueling (60–90g carbs per hour), mid-race decision-making, and the difference between racing for time and racing for place, including the surge that sealed the pass near mile 20.

The conversation widens to purpose, mindset, and coaching. As the founder of Boulder Underground, Matt shares how he coaches beginners to elites by aligning big goals with daily habits, calling on a trusted network of PTs, dietitians, and mental performance experts. We dig into his three-part framework for 26.2—body, mind, and spirit—so listeners leave with practical steps: test nutrition in training, find early flow instead of forcing splits, and anchor to a meaningful why when the tough miles arrive. Along the way, you’ll hear a hilarious nearly-Guinness-record family saga, Disney course highlights, and the energizing role of characters, music, and community on race day.

We also spotlight our Disneyland meetup details, roll call an enormous list of racers, and celebrate listener PRs from 5K to marathon. Whether you’re chasing a Boston qualifier, your first half, or a steadier long run, you’ll find tools and motivation to sharpen your next start line. If this conversation helps your training, share it with a friend, follow our show, and leave a quick review—what’s the one strategy you’ll try on your next long run?

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