Disneyland Half Marathon Race Day Recap | runDisney’s Final Disneyland Race
The last Disneyland Half Marathon (for now), hills, heat, and all the Disney magic
This is the race day update I simply did not have the energy in my soul to write over the weekend—because this past weekend was Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend race day, and it was the last one for the foreseeable future.
That alone made it a really big deal for me to be there.
Even with a frustrating merch experience, I’m grateful I showed up. I can officially say I earned a medal from the final Disneyland Half Marathon before races were paused. Disney races will come back—we just don’t know when—so this one felt especially meaningful.
Race Morning at Disneyland: Early Alarms and Extra Sparkle
Race morning started early—3:30 a.m. early.
I moved fast:
- Light makeup
- Body glitter from head to toe
- Snowflake freckles (non-negotiable)
- Race outfit on
- Quick fuel before heading out
I was out the door by 4:15 a.m., through security, and in my corral by 4:30.
One thing I genuinely love about races at Disneyland is how smooth the corral process is. It’s calm, organized, and way less stressful than many other race starts.
The Start Line: Delays and Character Stop Anxiety
The race started slightly late, which immediately made people nervous because with runDisney races, delays often raise concerns about character stops and photo ops being shortened.
I ran in Corral F, and thankfully nothing seemed to be cut back where I was. From everything I’ve heard, character stops remained intact throughout the course.
A Hillier Course and Unexpected Heat
This year’s Disneyland Half Marathon course was much hillier than last year.
Last year’s route? Completely flat.
The tradeoff was better scenery. While last year’s course through Anaheim wasn’t exactly exciting once you left the park, this year’s route was more visually enjoyable even if my legs noticed every incline.
The biggest challenge, though, was temperature.
At home, I’ve been training in my garage in 25–30 degree mornings, with daytime highs barely touching the upper 40s. Suddenly, I was racing in Anaheim temperatures close to 85 degrees.
Because of the heat:
- My heart rate ran higher than usual
- I intentionally slowed my pace
- This was not a PR attempt
I scaled back, ran smart, and still finished close to my normal range.
Running for Fun, Not a PR
This race was about enjoyment, not speed.
I stopped for so many character photos:
- Chip and Dale
- Lilo and Stitch
- Joy and Sadness
- Black Panther
- Pinocchio
I did get to run through Pixar Pier, which is always a highlight.
Every photo stop turned out great, and my finish line photo absolutely delivered. I finally got a flying feet shot. I never thought I’d get one of those, so that felt like a huge win.
Post-Race Recovery and Disney California Adventure
After the race, I showered while Dawn grabbed coffee and breakfast. By about 10 a.m., we were back in the parks, starting at Disney California Adventure.
I’ll always prefer Disneyland overall for rides and characters, but California Adventure wins when it comes to:
- Vibes
- Food
- Post-race wandering
Since it was Lunar New Year, we leaned into the seasonal food:
- Bulgogi fries (so good)
- Quesabirria egg rolls (also so good)
Despite long lines, we still rode:
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
- Little Mermaid
- Luigi’s
- Tow Mater
- Radiator Springs Racers (always worth it)
We also stopped at Animation Academy and learned how to draw Tigger, which was adorable.
The Milkshake Decision (No Regrets)
At some point, I decided I deserved a milkshake from Schmoozies because I had just run 13.1 miles in the heat.
It was okay. Dawn and I shared it and still barely made a dent, but honestly? Zero regrets.
We wrapped the day with a quesadilla (excellent), but between the heat and a 3:30 a.m. wake-up, exhaustion hit hard.
The Perfect Ending to a Big Day
We were back at the room by around 8 p.m. and went straight to bed.
This race wasn’t about speed or records. It was about:
- Showing up
- Adapting to conditions
- Soaking in the magic
- Celebrating a runDisney moment that won’t happen again for a while
And honestly?
It was exactly what it needed to be.
💛
— Bariatric Runner Mom
Pin this post for later if you’re running after weight loss surgery or navigating mental health while training.
