Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2026 (Feb 26-Mar 2, 2026)

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I just ordered a costume.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

I have sadness about not coming to Princess.

 

[marty3d]

I have sadness about not coming to Princess.

Me too! Especially because I’m in Florida this week - feel like I’m off by a week!! Maybe next year!

 

[azrivest]

I have sadness about not coming to Princess.

I also have sadness about you not coming to Princess

 

[azrivest]

So 1 week left until the Expo!

This is about the time I usually post my favorite Merida GIF, which is even more à propos this year:

 

[The Expert]

10 years ago today I did my very first runDisney (or ANY) race -- the 2016 Princess 5K! I honestly thought it would be the only time I ever did one, so I took a thousand (terrible) photos and was terrified to stop for characters. A selection of memories to get us in the Princess mood:

I have a video of this and it is NOT Carissa yelling "3-2-1-GO!" but some dude who isn't there anymore.




I had no idea at the time but this would become a tradition. The SE selfie on the way in.




THE jacket that people literally fought over at the expo that year!




There were several of these "character" stops with show and parade performers.




The stupid rubber medal that made me look up the other race medals and discover that 1. You had to do at least a 10K to get a "real" medal, and 2. There was such a thing as a Kessel Run Challenge medal. The rest is history.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

10 years ago today I did my very first runDisney (or ANY) race -- the 2016 Princess 5K! I honestly thought it would be the only time I ever did one, so I took a thousand (terrible) photos and was terrified to stop for characters. A selection of memories to get us in the Princess mood:

I have a video of this and it is NOT Carissa yelling "3-2-1-GO!" but some dude who isn't there anymore.

The stupid rubber medal that made me look up the other race medals and discover that 1. You had to do at least a 10K to get a "real" medal, and 2. There was such a thing as a Kessel Run. The rest is history.

How many of us did our first rD race, thinking it was our only one, only to have it become an expensive obsession hobby.

My new retirement goal is to be part of rD. I'm thinking maybe Riley's job when he retires from it....

A rubber medal?! Flag on the play.

>> "There was such a thing as a Kessel Run"
You. Didn't. Know. About. This? You didn't know that Han Solo did the Kessel Run in only 12 parsecs by taking a shortcut? I'm at a loss for words. ;-)
(Said as the nerd who first heard of the Kessel Run in 1977 as a child seeing SW in the theater....)

 

[The Expert]

I'm thinking maybe Riley's job when he retires from it....

I'll be your Carissa!

>> "There was such a thing as a Kessel Run"
You. Didn't. Know. About. This? You didn't know that Han Solo did the Kessel Run in only 12 parsecs by taking a shortcut? I'm at a loss for words. ;-)
(Said as the nerd who first heard of the Kessel Run in 1977 as a child seeing SW in the theater....)

Oh I knew about THE Kessel Run. Sir, I was 6 years old when Star Wars hit theaters! I didn't know about the Kessel Run MEDAL because I wasn't a runner. The races weren't on my radar other than vaguely knowing there were some. But as soon as I knew it existed, I wanted nothing more than that Millenium Falcon around my neck!

 

[azrivest]

2. There was such a thing as a Kessel Run Challenge medal.

And me still waiting for Castle to Château

I've never been tempted by C2C for some reason, but I would absolutely travel to Paris just for a cute medal

 

[The Expert]

And me still waiting for Castle to Château

I've never been tempted by C2C for some reason, but I would absolutely travel to Paris just for a cute medal

Honestly that may be my all time favorite medal. It's for sure my favorite Disney half marathon course. I got to do it in 2017. I so wish they'd bring it back!

 

[Naomeri]

And me still waiting for Castle to Château

I've never been tempted by C2C for some reason, but I would absolutely travel to Paris just for a cute medal

I would absolutely renew my passport and book my first overseas trip if there was a fancy Disney castle medal in it for me.

 

[PrincessV]

14th rD anniversary for me - 2012 Princess 5K was my first!

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I'll be your Carissa!

Deal!

Oh I knew about THE Kessel Run. Sir, I was 6 years old when Star Wars hit theaters! I didn't know about the Kessel Run MEDAL because I wasn't a runner. The races weren't on my radar other than vaguely knowing there were some. But as soon as I knew it existed, I wanted nothing more than that Millenium Falcon around my neck!

Whew! We can still be friends....

As for the medal, I missed all of the SW-themed runs and I am sooooo jealous. Put me down for wanting to bring those races back!

 

[DianaMB333]

How many of us did our first rD race, thinking it was our only one, only to have it become an expensive obsession hobby.

that’s what I thought in 2023! First ever run event PW!

 

[DisneyParrothead]

14th rD anniversary for me - 2012 Princess 5K was my first!

That year was my first half!

 

[DisneyParrothead]

I’ve started packing my checked luggage. It’ll be a hodge podge of stuff I need, but with two races, my carryon is almost full. I debated about putting most things in my checked luggage since I’m flying SW, but I’m not letting go of my carry on until they run out of room. It’s their mess, not mine.

 

[PrincessV]

Wanna talk weather to pass some time?!

I’ve got the Gasparilla 8K Sunday in Tampa before PHM and the forecast is not great: major cold front expected to bring rain and high winds at race time. On a course that floods with even a light rain. Yay.

Then, another round of bitter (for FL) cold for a few days.

The good news? It looks like PHM weekend may be gorgeous! Warm, but gorgeous.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

Wanna talk weather to pass some time?!
-
The good news? It looks like PHM weekend may be gorgeous! Warm, but gorgeous.

The temps look almost identical to what we had for DL half weekend just a few weeks ago. The humidity may feel different though, haha!

 

[1lilspark]

Wanna talk weather to pass some time?!

I’ve got the Gasparilla 8K Sunday in Tampa before PHM and the forecast is not great: major cold front expected to bring rain and high winds at race time. On a course that floods with even a light rain. Yay.

Then, another round of bitter (for FL) cold for a few days.

The good news? It looks like PHM weekend may be gorgeous! Warm, but gorgeous.

I wish you luck on the 8k and hope the weather takes a turn for the better… I was signed up for the 15K/8K challenge but have to miss it due to recovery from emergency dental surgery (the sting of not getting into W&D hadn’t even healed yet when I was submitting information to cash in on my race insurance)

 

[Naomeri]

As for the medal, I missed all of the SW-themed runs and I am sooooo jealous. Put me down for wanting to bring those races back!

SAME!

Wanna talk weather to pass some time?!

I’ve got the Gasparilla 8K Sunday in Tampa before PHM and the forecast is not great: major cold front expected to bring rain and high winds at race time. On a course that floods with even a light rain. Yay.

Then, another round of bitter (for FL) cold for a few days.

The good news? It looks like PHM weekend may be gorgeous! Warm, but gorgeous.

I've been starting to check the weather. While I don't really want my trip to start off on the cool side, I'm kind of okay about having a slight transitory period from MN winter temps to FL "winter" temps