All I can say is WOW! The popularity of these runDisney events continues to grow. The Glass Slipper Challenge sold out in less than 2 hours today and the Princess Half Marathon is 75% full in around 2 and a half hours. If you want to channel your inner princess (or maybe prince), click here to register right away. The Princess Half Marathon Weekend runs from February 19-22, 2015 at Walt Disney World. For more details, check out Sara’s Running at Disney Blog here. Additionally, Kim from Maker Mother Marathon Runner has some tips for registering for this event on her blog, here.
Personally, I won’t be heading off to register for this race. The reason is pretty simple…I can’t afford to go spend the money right now. What’s cool about runDisney for me is that they now have so many different themed races that I’ve got choices. As a matter of fact, this year could be the last time I run the Disneyland Half Marathon. With the Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon in November and the Star Wars Half Marathon in January (much more favorable months to race in and train for), I’m no longer limited in my choices. In addition to that, the cost of flying from Los Angeles to Orlando makes my trips out East much more difficult. The very same reasons that some folks out East were upset that the Star Wars Half Marathon and the Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon will happen at Disneyland is the same reason why I’ll be sitting out the Princess Half Marathon…cost.
If you’re a guy, like me, you might be thinking…why would I want to run in a Princess themed race? Well, I would say that you shouldn’t think about it that way. If you want to run in a runDisney Half Marathon or 10K or 5K race and this weekend works best for you…go for it. Just keep in mind that the merchandise and many other externals will be geared towards women. However, the race courses are not. So, the actual event itself is neither male nor female. Also, know that you won’t be the only guy there. Run, Knit, Travel, has a pretty good breakdown at the participation for this year’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend here. While the Princess Half Marathon was heavily populated by women, 7% of those that ran were indeed men. That means, if you’re a guy, you won’t be the only one out there.
Like last year, there is this special Coast to Coast medal for those that run BOTH the Princess Half Marathon AND the Tinker Bell Half Marathon. Plus, there’s an extra challenge for this year…the Castaway Cay Challenge for those that think taking a Disney cruise right after the Princess Half Marathon Weekend is a fantastic idea and register to run the Castaway Cay 5K. Patty at My No Guilt Life writes about that here.
Did you miss out on the Princess Half Marathon because it sold out? Well, on August 12, 2014, you can register for the 2015 Tinker Bell Half Marathon and get in on the West Coast version of the Princess Half Marathon. So, mark your calendars. These runDisney races are selling out faster than ever!
Are you running the Princess Half Marathon? Planning on running in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon? Feel free to share your excitement in the comments below.
Why I runDisney 
I ran both the Tinkerbell and Pricess this year and have to say that I loved Tink (especially the course) so much more. I even found that trip to be a lot less expensive (and I’m on the east coast). I grew up a tomboy so while I don’t know much about princesses, I know a heck of a lot about Star Wars. I was excited to see that both Avengers and Star Wars were at Disneyland. Though, I do think a second Star Wars in WDW would be an excellent challenge.
Since I’ve never run the Princess Half, I can’t really speak too much about that race. However, the 2013 Tinkerbell Half Marathon was my first half marathon. So, Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend will always have a special place in my heart. I’m not a big Tink fan overall. The thing with theming of the races is this…they are just what the race is dressed up as. The race courses are neither male nor female. They are 3.1, 6.2, 13.1, or 26.2 miles. When I was on the course at the Tinkerbell Half Marathon, I wasn’t even thinking about the male to female ratio of runners. I was too busy trying to cross the finish line without dying. Honestly, the camaraderie among the runners at the Tinkerbell Half was not anything noticeably different from running the Disneyland Half Marathon later that year. The ONLY difference I noticed was in the merchandise.
I’m pretty sure there will be plenty of ladies out there running both the Avengers and Star Wars Half Marathons because there are plenty of female fans of the Avengers and Star Wars. I do understand that you want a Star Wars Half at WDW. I’d really like a Tower of Terror 10 Miler or Wine and Dine Half Marathon at Disneyland. Actually, I’d just love to see a night time half marathon at Disneyland. I don’t think it will be possible because it would require the closing off of the streets in Anaheim at night. However, it would be fun to try one of those night time half marathons. Maybe the Rock n Roll Las Vegas will not be held the same day as the Avengers Half in the future. Or maybe one day, I’ll be crazy enough to try doing both races on the same day.
Really I loved the course more at Tink then Princess. At Tink you are in the parks/DTD for half the race and at Princess you are only in the park for like 1.5 miles. There is just something about the time you are actually in the park.
Yesterday was crazy to watch it unfold especially with the active site crashing. I’m just worried it could do it again for future races!
Remember how I said I wasn’t sure, well I’m in! For the glass slipper challenge for the second time and the 5k(because it’s frozen themed and when I asked my mom for advice she told me I HAD to do it). #runalltheraces
I don’t find it too expensive to fly to WDW for races. I fly for free using airline points, always get a good AP room rate, and I already pay for the premier AP so the more I go, the better the deal is and I’m splitting it with friends too.
I’ve seriously lost my mind with all the racing I have coming up:wine and dine, avengers, dopey, rebel challenge and 5k+GSC. However I should be in awesome shape for the LA marathon!
And yes, I’m signing up for tink so I can keep that legacy status too!
I’m a bit jealous of people like you who can run all the races. Having those airline frequent flyer miles certainly helps drive the cost of a WDW runDisney race weekend down a bit. Also, being able to split room costs with friends helps as well. Unfortunately, I don’t fly enough to get those frequent flyer miles and I travel with my wife. So, there’s no break in lodging. Although, I do get a nice discount on the WDW Resort rooms thanks to working for the mouse. However, the WDW Marathon trip cost over $3K in total for my wife and myself. Now, we did indulge a bit with a spa day at the Grand Floridian and trip to Universal Orlando. Plus, the trip was a full week long. So, I know there are ways to cut it down. Maybe, if I went out to WDW more often, I could plan to space some of our experiences out. So, cost really comes down to how you budget your time and money.
As I said, I wish that I could run all the races as well. However, I have other things calling for my money that I choose to say yes to. It’s all about where we decide to place our money. If racing all the races makes you happy. Then, you should absolutely do what you’re doing. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You might want to consider getting to know Kimberly Markey. She runs all the races too! I linked her tips for registration in this blog post.
You’re either going to be in amazing shape for the LA Marathon or completely exhausted. I sincerely hope that it’s the first one. Hopefully, the weather will help the runners out in 2015 at the LA Marathon and not be so hot. Keep up all the good work you’re doing!
The registration process was absolutely terrible this year and we didn’t manage to get in to anything except the 5k, AND active.com mixed up all of our information (there were 3 of us registering on the same computer). What a nightmare! 😦 I definitely want to try one of the other races in the future, but if the registration process continues to be a train wreck we’ll probably just end up sitting them out! But hopefully I’ll get to the tink half one of these days.
I heard about the active.com problems. It sucks! I feel bad for those that might not get to race because of them. Hopefully, this kind of thing won’t happen again.