The Earful Runner

This week, Em and M launch a brand new segment called "Blue Sky Racing" where we design a brand new running experience at a Disney park. Taken from the phrase that Imagineers use when brainstorming new ideas for rides, shows and lands, Blue Sky Racing asks the question "if you could build any kind of running race or experience in Disney, what would it be? What would it look like?".

Em drastically underestimates how enthusiastic M will be about this and is bowled over by her idea for a pirate themed adventure at the Magic Kingdom, which comes complete with maps and visual aids. 

Run time: 36:49

We are so excited to bring you this very special episode with the one and only, @MichaelDoesDisney! Michael is one of the most genuine and warm folks we have ever met and in this interview, we get to hear all about how his love of Disney blossomed as a young person, how he got started running and the genesis of his @MichaelDoesDisney account. We even get the low down on the history of #TrashCanTuesday! 

If you love the parks, running and great stories in general, this is a terrific episode. Check it out!

Run Time: 47:00

You may be very familiar with the running events in the most magical place on Earth, but did you know that Disney once played host to triathlons? Yes, that's right! Athletes once swam the Seven Seas Lagoon, biked around the backstage and ran through Fort Wilderness in a series of multisport races between 2002 and 2012. 

In this episode, we get a chance to talk with Cynthia Six and Marcy Webster, two of the triathletes who tackled these endurance challenges. We hear what it was like to swim, bike and run your way around the World. Both Marcy and Cynthia are RunDisney veterans, so we take a deep dive into their favorite running events too!

Run Time: 31:36

The day is nearly here! Registration for Run Disney races opens in early May and we have the inside scoop on the most efficient ways to register along with some pro tips from our resident expert, Em. We break it all down, so if you are a first timer and nervous about signing up, then this is a great episode for you. 

We are also about to embark on our very first Virtual Run adventure on May 2nd and we invite you to join us! Tune into our Instagram at 10am EST on Saturday May 2nd, for some magic, miles and mischief! 

Run time 34:05

Brandon Wei is one charismatic human! From his early days as a Cast Member to his current gig as designer, he's got a passion for art and a deep and abiding love for all things animated and park related. When we found out that Brandon's first half marathon was the Princess Race Weekend, we just knew he would have an interesting take on running in the most magical place on Earth.  

What we could not have anticipated was 30 minutes of deep belly laughs when he turned the tables and started interviewing US in the middle of the show. This episode is full of great trivia, wonderful stories and more giggles per minute than we've had in a while. Kudos to you, Brandon! 

Run time: 35:24

We are super excited to welcome a very special guest to the podcast today, Dani Di Santo! Dani is a run Disney veteran, having completed over 60 Disney running events. She is also a Disney enthusiast on all levels and in this episode we talk everything from go-to snacks to favorite rides. If you have ever been curious about what it's like to run in Disney, this is the episode for you. 

Run Time: 36:02 

From Snow White, who was the first fictional female character to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to modern day favorites like Mulan and Megara, the pull of the Princess story is strong. So strong in fact, that thousands of runners flock to the Disney parks each year to race as their Princess of choice! In this episode, Emily and special guest Katie McEvoy share stories of the Disney Princess Race Weekend; and we talk about everything from costume choices to character photos. 

Run time: 31:30 

Stepping up to the starting line of any event can be daunting and especially at a Disney Race. The super early wake up call, the long walk to your corral, can make many runners nervous about the journey ahead. Today, we are talking with two first-time Disney runners, Jeanmarie Peterson and Grace Taylor, about their experiences.

Run time: 21:24

On this episode, we will be talking all about a hallmark of Disney race weekend achievements,  the Dopey Challenge. This 48.6 mile odyssey includes a 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Full Marathon on consecutive days!

The very first Dopey Challenge took place in 2014 and over 6,300 people finished that first year. Since then, over 600 people have achieved Perfectly Dopey status, completing the challenge each year. In this show, we will be catching up with our good friends Jennalee and Emily about all things Dopey, from the early morning wakeup calls to the joy of earning that Dopey Challenge medal!

Run time: 41:48

In this episode we’re going to share a little bit about the history of running events in Disney, along with a few cool facts that you might not know about these races. From the very first races in the mid 1990's to the epic, multi-day challenges of today, there is quite a bit of ground to cover! Let's dig right in!

Run time: 17:24