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


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.

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

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

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

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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.

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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....)
 
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!
 
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!
 
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!
 
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.
 


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