2016 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – Part 2

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Sunday, February 21 – Disney Princess Half Marathon

Up at 2:45, left the room about 3:30. No problem getting to the Epcot parking lot – we were actually parked one row closer than we were the day before. This time we had bags (our running belts) that needed to be checked, but that was very quick. There were plenty of lanes open.

There were over 20,000 runners in the half marathon, as opposed to about 11,000 for the 10K. The pre-race area was much more crowded.

It was another great morning for a race. About 55 degrees, so a little warmer than the day before, and it was more humid. I was comfortable in trash bag and gloves again.

It’s always fun to run a Disney race in costume – and even more fun to run with friends who are also in costume. Several months ago I had an idea for a group…Cinderella and her stepsisters. I already had a Cinderella costume, and I talked Lee and our friend Eddie into running as my stepsisters. To be honest, they were all for it, and it really didn’t take any fast-talking on my part. 🙂 Though Eddie did request the “pink one” (Anastasia).

For their costumes, I made a couple of skirts in the appropriate colors for Anastasia and Drizella out of sequined fabric. It was easier to work with than I expected. It doesn’t ravel so I didn’t need to hem.

Stepsister Drizella Anastasia running costumes

For the tops, I purchased sleeveless running tops and then added puffy sleeves to them.

Stepsister Drizella Anastasia running costumes

Stepsister Drizella Anastasia running costumes

For Drizella’s costume I made a puffy bow out of the sequin fabric and attached it to a headband. For Anastasia, Lee covered a visor with pink sequin fabric and I made the “crown” piece out of metallic gold craft foam. The guys said that it was all very comfortable to run in. And they looked great, if I do say so myself.

Stepsister Drizella Anastasia running costumes

We met up with the Mickey Milers again.

2016 Princess Half Marathon Mickey Milers

About 4:45 we headed to the corrals. The porta-pottie lines were VERY long, but Eddie reminded us that there were some once we went into the “Runners Only” area. The lines were much shorter there. And then it was the 1/2 mile walk to the corrals. It wasn’t too crowded for us this time. We met Lisa again and had time for a short chat and to wish each other a good race before going to our different corrals. (She’s faster than we are! 🙂 )

We were in Corral C for this one. The race started at 5:30 with a burst of fireworks – they had them for each corral, which is always very nice.

2016 Princess Half Marathon fireworks

As we got closer to the start line we could see the stage and the Fairy Godmother, plus the race announcers.

2016 Princess Half Marathon

We started about 4 minutes after the official start, so we didn’t have to wait too long.

2016 Princess Half Marathon start line

The course heads straight to Magic Kingdom. This is the first time I’ve been this far forward in a WDW race and it made a big difference when we were on the single lane sections – it really didn’t feel crowded at all.

2016 Princess Half Marathon

One thing that was disappointing: the pirate ship that’s normally placed about mile 2 wasn’t there this year. The Heroes were out for photos not far from there, but had a long line – and we knew we’d see them on the way back. We also bypassed Aladdin and Sally/Jack Skellington – lines were long and it was still pretty dark for photos with the iPhone.

After mile 5 we entered Magic Kingdom. And the photo fun really began. 🙂 The “sisters” fought over Buzz Lightyear.

2016 Princess Half Marathon Buzz Lightyear

When we left the Alice group, the cast member said: “You’re in for a surprise up ahead.”

2016 Princess Half Marathon White Rabbit Queen of Hearts

And there they were – the stepmother and both of the stepsisters! I knew that I had to get video of this – and their meeting did not disappoint. They were so excited. 🙂 (It’s very funny to view in slow motion and watch their reactions when they first see the guys.)

2016 Princess Half Marathon Cinderella stepsisters

We stopped in Frontierland to use the restroom there. There were cast members on the Adventureland side to make sure runners didn’t go through there, and Lee cracked them up when he said: “Which side should I use?”

I was really hoping that Cinderella would be at the traditional princess photo stop backstage after Splash Mountain, but she wasn’t there. We did get a two-fer, though – both Belle and the Beast and Aurora and Prince Phillip. Aurora almost lost it when she saw “the sisters”, but recovered and told me: “Don’t they look wonderful!” This was the longest line that we waited in, and it was only about 5 minutes long.

2016 Princess Half Marathon Aurora Phillip

Just after that was the 10K mark and we made the turn to head back towards Epcot. The one lane “Cone Alley” section near the Grand Floridian wasn’t too bad this time. Near the entrance to the Grand Floridian we found Bert and the penguins from “Mary Poppins”. I guess Mary was taking a break.

2016 Princess Half Marathon Bert penguins

Outside the Wedding Pavilion were the guys with the glass slipper. It didn’t fit. 🙂

2016 Princess Half Marathon glass slipper

Anastasia: “Genie, grant my wish and make HER disappear.”

2016 Princess Half Marathon Genie

My cold was taking its toll on me and I was really starting to drag by mile 8. The guys did a great job in keeping my spirits up and making me laugh. And we got lots of nice comments from other runners on how good we looked. I say “we”, but in all honesty it was the sisters who received most of the comments. They were pretty unique – I was just one of hundreds of Cinderellas. 🙂 This woman ran up to us and wanted her photo taken with them. “Sister – we’ve found our prince!”

2016 Princess Half Marathon

Around mile 9.5 we came back to the Heroes again. They seemed a little alarmed. 🙂

2016 Princess Half Marathon Heroes

Finally we passed mile 12 and were backstage at Epcot. I think this is my favorite photo of the three of us from the race.

2016 Princess Half Marathon Cinderella carriage

The sisters were very put out with the Fairy Godmother.

2016 Princess Half Marathon Fairy Godmother

We crossed the finish line with a time of 2:49. It was a LOT of fun. The guys were really good sports – and they had a blast, too. They made a lot of people smile – many times when we ran by groups of spectators I’d see their faces light up when they saw the sisters. And I still laugh when I look at the photos and think about all of the funny moments we shared during the race. Thanks guys – you are both princes in my book!

2016 Princess Half Marathon finish line

I collected three medals – the half marathon medal, Glass Slipper Challenge medal, and Coast-to-Coast medal.

2016 Princess Half Marathon medals

And then it was time to celebrate with the beverage of our choice! It had turned into a lovely warm day – very comfortable to sit around the finish area and visit for a while.

2016 Princess Half Marathon champagne

Final Thoughts

I find this particular race weekend to be a lot of fun – one of my favorites. The secret is to avoid the Expo on the first day. 🙂 This weekend has the most consistently good weather of any of the WDW race weekends and it’s generally good – not too hot, not too cold. The theme is very appealing – it’s hard not to love a race that features the Disney princesses! And it’s wonderful to see so many women come out to share it together: mothers and daughters, sisters, friends… There are always lots of creative and beautiful costumes, too. The medals are also lovely, and are some of my favorites.

2016 Princess Half Marathon medals

I thought it was interesting that the number of men in this race has been increasing every year: 1454 finished in 2014, 1720 in 2015, and 2037 this year. (18099 women finished this year.) For the most part the men who participate get into the spirit of the event and dress in costume and have a lot of fun with it.

Thank you to all of the cast members and the wonderful volunteers who make it all possible. They work hard and have to get up even earlier than the runners!

2016 Princess Half Marathon water station

We are planning to return next year!

Coming up – Princess Weekend Dining

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Laura Gilbreath is a native of San Diego, CA. She has been making the trek up Interstate 5 to Disneyland since she was a small child and terrified of talking tikis and hitchhiking ghosts. She and her husband Lee enjoy trips to Disneyland and Walt Disney World, as well as sailings on the Disney Cruise Line.

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3 Replies to “2016 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – Part 2”

  1. Laura, I was out of town when you started posting these so I’m finally getting around to reading all 4 parts. As always, I enjoy reading about your trip & seeing the wonderful photos.

    The costumes you made are great. Can’t believe the guys were willing to wear them. The video with the wicked stepmother/sisters is so hilarious!

    Laura replies: Thanks Ashley. Lee and Eddie really get into the spirit of the races – in the past they have run in sparkle skirts and pixie wings – so they really liked the idea and had a lot of fun with it.

  2. I love your race recaps, especially the ones I get to run because I think back and SMILE! I was one of the guys who ran; it was my first Princess Weekend and I really enjoyed every aspect of the race. It didn’t hurt that I set a personal record on this course either! I ran the 10K with my sis, and the half solo. I agree with you – it is special to see all of the mothers and daughters, best friends, sisters, and family members coming together to participate in running a race. I have been running Disney on the reg since 2005 and I am gearing up for my first Coast to Coast, Dumbo Double Dare this Sept. Because I study your blogs, and because you do such a terrific job, I feel ready to conquer Cali!

    Laura replies: Thanks so much, Don – I’m glad you enjoy the blogs and that you had such a good time during the race weekend. And congratulations on your PR – that’s hard to do at a Disney race.

    Your first Coast-to-Coast – that’s terrific! It’s really a lovely medal. Be prepared for it to be WARM in California over Labor Day weekend. Have fun!

  3. Thanks for your race recaps! Thought it was a wonderful race weekend! Love “the sisters” costumes – thanks for sharing! Very cute idea! I think the Thursday expo was not as bad as social media makes it out to be. We were there when it opened, and we helped others find things they wanted & vice versa. Yes, it’s crowded and hectic in the Disney merchandise area. But, the items are cute, and it’s the only place to get them. It is a double-edged sword – but if you are patient, it can be ok.

    Laura replies: Hi Julie. Thanks for writing. I’m glad to hear that the Expo wasn’t as bad as it sounded – though still, 50 minutes in line for bib pickup is Not Right. Good on you for helping other people find the merchandise they wanted. Me, I still plan to stay away from the Expos on the first day – unless I go late in the day.