Disney Park Runner

There is a newly-minted batch of Disney Princesses in town! Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2023 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend!

The weather was fantastic and it was a picture perfect race weekend. Well, not all of my pictures were perfect, but they are, at least, entertaining.

I hit the expo early on Thurdsay to try to beat most of the chaos. I was lucky I was able to do that because for some folks, it was a long, drawn-out day. I spoke with someone who joined the Virtual Queue when it opened at 8:30, but she did not get a shopping window for about 4 hours.

There was lots to do and see at the expo, including Cinderella’s coach! I was excited to get a pic, but slightly bummed that I missed out on getting the pic with her footmen and the glass slipper, which got there a little later. Oh well, c’est la vie.

Since I was “only” doing the 10K this time around, I had some time to enjoy Disney and had a day at Disney Springs followed by an incredible dinner and fireworks from the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort. I spent Friday at Epcot. This time I was the one getting shut out of the virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy, but got incredibly lucky with a last minute lunch reservation at Space 220, so I was all smiles. (And really, really stuffed!)

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Saturday was race day for me, and I completely lucked out and got a placement in corral C. First time for everything, I guess, and now I know that it’s actually possible to get so lucky! Also lucky was my running buddy Stacia, also starting in corral C. I usually end up in the back with the Balloon Ladies and scared formy life, but this time I was able to take it a bit more relaxed. Before the race I was able to snag a selfie with runDisney legend Jogging Jack Sparrow, and Stacia was interviewed by Riley right before we launched. I was surrounded by celebrity!

Stacia and I were really in sync on pacing and intervals, and it felt like a match made in heaven! It was definitely Belle’s day and I was in good company in my yellow ballgown. At some point I was intercepted by another runDisney celebrity, The Trooper Dude, also dressed as Belle. He was in the middle of a livestream and interviewed me while we were running on the topic of “Who wore it better?” I think I won on the technicality that I don’t have facial hair.

I’m used to doing full challenge weekends, so running just the 10K felt like a breeze. I was sorry it was over so soon.

/

So after the miles and the smiles there wasn’t much left to do but say goodby and bolt to the airport for my same-day flight, but I did manage to grab a pic of THREE runDisney celebrities in the same place – The Trooper Dude, Jogging Jack Sparrow, and THe Muscle Mouse. Proof that they are not the same person!

A Princess Wears the Crown

Sadly, I had to miss the Half Marathon, but a huge shout out to the overall winner, Neely Gracey of Denver, Colorado. She beat the entire field (including the boys!) to finish in 1:15:55. That’s an astounding accomplishment, and only the third time a woman was the overall winner. You rock the kingdom, Neely!

I’m sad it’s over, but so glad I got to take part in the 2023 Princess Half Marathon Weekend! Were you there? Drop a comment and tell me how much fun you had!