Run, Karla, Run!

The Walt Disney World Marathon

Hot dog! It’s one of Mickey Mouse’s favorite phrases and it couldn’t have been more appropriate for the 20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon on January 13, 2013. The mercury climbed to unseasonably warm temps, with a high of 81 degrees and humidity to match. The sun hung hot and heavy in a largely cloudless blue sky as runners worked their way around the World—Walt Disney World, that is.

I was on hand for all of the weekend’s action, from the Health & Fitness Expo to the Pasta in the Park Party, the Walt Disney World Marathon Meet Up and the Downtown Disney Cool Down After Party.

As one of the weekend’s 65,000 runners, I soaked in the sun as I ran through Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney World Speedway, Animal Kingdom, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot on marathon morning—dressed as Cinderella in Rags with Jacque the Mouse by my side, played with gusto by my husband. These are my highlights from the weekend, including a few brushes with Mickey Mouse himself.

Click on any photo for a slideshow view. All photos copyright Karla Bruning and Phil Hospod

Ready to run!

My Cinderella in Rags running costume (Photo: Karla Bruning)

My husband’s Jacque the Mouse running costume

Transforming into Cinderella

Ready to run as Cinderella and Jacque

At the starting line before everyone else (Photo: Karla Bruning)

Hubby channels his inner mouse

The Walt Disney World Marathon Start around 4 am

With The Marathon Show’s Joe Taricani (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Waiting for the start in the corral (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Mickey and friends take the stage before the start

With Kelly Lewis of Team Sparkle and AccordingToKelly (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Mickey celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Marathon

Pirates of the Caribbean (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Photo stop #2: Entering Magic Kingdom

Runners parade up Main Street USA

Cinderella and Jacque spy their new digs (Photo: Karla Bruning)

Cinderella Castle with sparkly dream lights (Photo: Phil Hospod)

With Alice and the Mad Hatter (Photo: Karla Bruning)

With Belle at New Fantasyland (Photo: Marathon Foto)

On to the castle (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Photo Stop #7: With Tiana, Naveen and Louis

Photo Stop #8: With Princess Aurora and Prince Philip

With Mary Poppins and Bert (Photo: Karla Bruning)

Photo Stop #10: With Peter Pan and Wendy

Entering the Speedway (Photo: Phil Hospod)

So many cool cars on the Speedway (Photo: Phil Hospod)

The speedway flags are flying (Photo: Phil Hospod)

It’s a car show at the marathon (Photo: Karla Bruning)

Humidity rises off the Speedway infield

With Mater of Cars (Photo: Karla Bruning)

So many Disney villains! (Photo: Karla Bruning)

Photo Stop #15: Saying hi to Pluto and Mickey near Animal Kingdom

The sun rises. It’s getting hot!

Pocahontas, Meeko and Captain John Smith (Photo: Karla Bruning)

So many cute animals came out to greet us at Animal Kingdom! (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Entering Animal Kingdom

Running toward Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Photo Stop #18: Daisy Duck and Minnie Mouse greet us in Animal Kingdom

Chip and Dale say hello in the woods (Photo: Karla Bruning)

We made it to the track at ESPN Wide World of Sports (Photo: Phil Hospod)

All those track workouts paid off!

Giant Mickey balloon at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (Photo: Karla Bruning)

The sun was high and hot reaching 81 degrees (Photo: Phil Hospod)

The course brought us to Champion Stadium during Mile 20

Rounding the bases at Champion Stadium (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Getting a high five from a Disney Cast Member (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Champion Stadium (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Hello Genie! (Photo: Karla Bruning)

The Mile 20 Marker is in sight!

Runners file into Mile 20 (Photo: Phil Hospod)

The Mile 20 Anniversary Celebration (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Waiting to take a picture with Mickey and Minnie at Mile 20 (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Mile 20 with Minnie, Pluto and Mickey (Photo: Karla Bruning)

With a Green Army Man from Toy Story (Photo: Phil Hospod)

On to Hollywood Studios! (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Running Streets of America (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Photo Stop #25: Leaving Hollywood Studios

Onto the Boardwalk, past the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Photo Stop #26: Saying Bonjour to Belle in Epcot

With Jasmine and Aladdin in Morocco. (Photo: RunKarlaRun.com)

Photo Stop #28: Hi Dopey! In Germany at Epcot

Two women warriors (Photo: Phil Hospod)

In China with Mulan (Photo: Karla Bruning)

On to Spaceship Earth (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Last stop before the finish! (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Spectators cheer on runners (Photo: Phil Hospod)

A Gospel Choir at Mile 26 (Photo: Phil Hospod)

In the finish chute (Photo: Phil Hospod)

On to the finish!

We earned out medals, and in costume too! (Photo: Phil Hospod)

Walt Disney World Marathon done! (Photo: Karla Bruning)

At the Downtown Disney Cool Down Party (Photo: Phil Hospod)

All the runDisney medals

New Balance runDisney shoes

With Mickey Mouse at the Walt Disney World Marathon Meet Up

Mickey Mouse and friends greet runners at the Walt Disney World Marathon Meet Up

With Minnie Mouse at the Walt Disney World Marathon Meet Up

Mickey Mouse and me at the Walt Disney World Marathon meet Up

Drew Carey greets fans at the Walt Disney World Marathon Meet Up

The Perfect 20 ring given to the 95 runners who’ve done all 20 Walt Disney World Marathons, at the Pasta in the Park Party

Disclosure: As a member of the running media, runDisney has provided me with complimentary race entry, hotel, park tickets, airfare and some meals (like the Pasta in the Park Party) for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. But as always, all opinions are purely my own. I really do believe in being honest about my experiences and Disney is no exception. For more information read my Disclosure Policy.

About Karla Bruning

Karla Bruning is a race announcer at the TCS New York City Marathon + other major events, TV host for the Panasonic New York City Triathlon + regular contributor to Shape + Redbook online. She used to report for Newsweek but spent her free time squeezing in workouts. Now it's her job. She's run 8 marathons, 30 halves, 10 triathlons + open water swims, spoils her dog + travels compulsively.