Run. Princess. Run.

By Amy Coward

I first went to Walt Disney World when it opened in 1971. I grew up in Florida and fortunately for me, I lived less than an hour from this fantastic place and was able to visit many times. It’s truly magical.

This weekend, I’m returning to Walt Disney World in a capacity I never imagined. I’ll be running the Princess Half Marathon right through the Magic Kingdom at 5:30 in the morning on Sunday with more than 26,000 other runners. Crazy, right? With marathons and half marathons becoming all the rage these days, it looks like Walt Disney World has completely jumped on the bandwagon. (It should be no surprise that WDW knows how to make a buck.) They have several races each year as does Disney Land, all with different themes. There are even facebook pages dedicated to Disney runners – folks from all across the U.S. and other countries who participate in Disney races frequently. It’s like a special club for those with Mickey ears and running shoes. Who knew?

When I started running just a few years ago, a co-worker mentioned races at Disney, including the “Wine and Dine” at Disney World, a half marathon that takes place at 10 p.m. during the annual Wine Festival at EPCOT. First of all, I had never heard of a race at Disney and running at night…well, that just sounded ridiculous! I can’t form a complete sentence after 9 p.m., much less get my body to function at that level. When she mentioned the Princess Half Marathon, a fun morning race through the Magic Kingdom…well that was more up my alley. Runners dress like Disney characters and stop for pictures with the “cast”. Sounded like a blast.

I know I’m a little old for dressing up, but hey, Disney brings out the child in all of us, right? I marked my calendar for the next registration opportunity because I heard Disney races filled up quickly. Sure enough, registration for the 2015 race opened on July 15, 2014 at noon, I registered right away and by mid-afternoon, the race was full. Again, we’re talking 26,000+ runners! Wow! Talk about a following. These people are serious.

For the last 6 months, I have tuned into the Team RunDisney Facebook page and read all the tricks of the trade for this particular race from runners who know everything about running Disney. With just days to go, I am all packed including my traditional supplies: cell phone armband, iPod, bagels and peanut butter, water bottles, running shoes and of course, a Cinderella running skirt and bedazzled headband for good measure. I wouldn’t want to be the fuddy duddy runner who didn’t dress up! From what I’ve read, Minnie Mouse will be running beside me along with Tinker Bell, Cruella de Vil and a bunch of Dalmatians. I will probably hear my share of “Dreams are the Wishes Your Heart Makes” and “When You Wish Upon a Star” throughout the weekend. And I understand there are even fairy godmothers on the course to spray pixie dust on runners as they pass by. That’s a good thing. Because despite the fun and the costumes and characters, 13.1 miles is quite a distance. I’ll need all the Bippity Boppity Boo I can get.

Here’s to Mickey Mouse ears, castles and princesses…and sweat, blisters and fatigue. It’s a road race after all and no matter how magical they make it, we’re all running for the prince at the finish line…the one with the sparkly medal to hang around our neck.

Amy Coward is a public relations professional in Columbia, SC. When she is not managing the madness of event planning at Palmetto Health Foundation, she is turning her empty nest upside down looking for fun and finding it. 

Sign up here to start your free subscription to MidlandsLife!