Run, Karla, Run!

Lauren Passell wins the 2015 Disney Princess Half Marathon (runDisney)

The Disney Princess Half Marathon 2016 Weekend kicked off February 18 and runs, literally, through the title event on February 21 at Walt Disney World in Florida.

The three-day extravaganza is the largest women’s running festival in the U.S. with 37,000 runners across multiple events: Disney Princess Half Marathon, Disney Glass Slipper Challenge, Disney Princess Enchanted 10K, Disney Princess 5K and runDisney Kids Races.

Take a look at the numbers behind the princesses.

Runners at Princess Half (runDisney)

Disney Princess Half Marathon 2016 By The Numbers

285,900—combined miles adult runners will complete over the course of Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

250,000—runners who take part in runDisney events each year

99,178—number of Cinderella’s Glass Slippers, lined up heel to toe, it takes to cover the 13.1 miles of the Disney Princess Half Marathon

37,000—registered runners for the Disney Princess Half Marathon 2016 Weekend Read the rest of this entry →

Runners on the Coney Island Boardwalk. (Courtesy NYRR)

Want to run one of the biggest half marathons in the U.S.? You’ve got to know when to sign-up.

Registration for the 2016 Airbnb Brooklyn Half opens Thursday, January 28 at noon ET. (I’m one of its race announcers.) It’s the largest half marathon in the U.S., and sells out quickly.

The Brooklyn Half is also one of the best deals out there: $65 for New York Road Runners members and $85 for non-members. For that you get a start at the Brooklyn Museum, the course through bucolic Prospect Park, and a finish on the iconic Coney Island Boardwalk, plus the incomparable Airbnb Brooklyn Half Pre-Party Presented by New Balance, which has re-imagined the race expo into something bigger and better—a party with munchies, music, and more. It is, without contest, the best race “expo” I’ve ever seen. And I don’t make that claim lightly. Then there’s the Airbnb Brooklyn Half After-Party in a baseball stadium. That’s some serious bang-for-your-buck.

Like the Airbnb Brooklyn Half, many of America’s biggest half marathons sell out before race day. So here’s how and when to register for the 25 biggest 13.1-milers in the U.S.

25 Biggest Half Marathons in the U.S.

1. Airbnb Brooklyn Half

New York
26,440 finishers in 2015
25,645 finishers in 2014
#5 among half marathons in the world in 2014
Next race: May 21, 2016
Registration: Opens January 28, 2016 at 12 p.m. ET. Typically sells out in a few hours. Entry via NYRR’s charity Team For Kids is available now.
Why Run? Brooklyn at its best, with a waterfront pre-party, stadium post-party, and course that highlights some of Brooklyn’s iconic landmarks with a finish on the Coney Island Boardwalk.

2. Nike Women’s Half Marathon

California
23,362 finishers in 2015
24,448 finishers in 2014
#8 among half marathons in the world in 2014
Next Race: The race is moving from San Francisco to Los Angeles in 2016. Stay tuned for dates and more info.
Registration: Typically via lottery. More info coming on January 29, 2016.
Why Run? The world’s largest women-focused race has traditionally offered a Tiffany & Co. necklace in place of a finisher medal, plus stellar on-course support.

3. Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon

Nevada
23,100 finishers in 2015
25,227 finishers in 2014
#7 among half marathons in the world in 2014
Next Race: November 13, 2016
Registration: Not yet open. Get a reminder e-mail.
Why Run? Finish along the lit up Las Vegas Strip at night, with music every mile and a major headliner—think Kid Rock or Macklemore & Ryan Lewis—for your pre-race entertainment.

4. OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

Indiana
22,466 finishers in 2015
25,524 finishers in 2014
#6 among half marathons in the world in 2014
Next Race: May 7, 2016
Registration: Open now
Why Run? Run a full lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway—2.5 miles of track—home of the Indianapolis 500, with 100 entertainment acts to keep you pumped all 13.1 miles.

5. Walt Disney World Half Marathon

Florida
21,495 finishers in 2015
20,243 finishers in 2014
#12 among half marathons in the world in 2014
Next Race: January 7, 2017
Registration: Opens April 26, 2016 at noon ET. Not a lottery, but the half marathon and all other weekend events sell out within a few weeks to a few months. Charity and tour provider entries will also be available.
Why Run? Part of the country’s largest running festival, you’ll journey from Epcot through Magic Kingdom and back as you rub elbows with Disney characters and runners dressed as them. Finish the half-marathon and marathon on back-to-back days and you’ll earn a special Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge medal. Run all four of the weekend’s adult races for the Dopey Challenge. Read the rest of this entry →

My sis high-fives Mickey at the finish. (Photo: MarathonFoto)

How much fun did my sister and I have at the 2015 Disney Princess Half Marathon? Her Mickey Mouse high-five at the finish line pretty much says it all.

When my sister decided to run her first half-marathon, there was no doubt which race it would be. She’d run her first 5K with me at the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend in 2012. As a family, we did everything there was to do at the time: Pasta in the Park Party, Kids Races, 5K, and my husband and I ran the Half Marathon.

So naturally, we decided to return for my sister’s 13.1 debut in 2015. I attended the race as a media guest of runDisney to write a story for Shape.com about our experience. You can read it here: Why I’d Rather Run With Women.

First, we tackled the Disney Princess Frozen 5K dressed as Disney’s most infamous sisters, Cinderella’s stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella Tremaine. We had too much fun, despite wearing tank tops in a 33-degree race.

Anastasia and Drizella (Photo: runDisney)

Then, I ran the Disney Princess Enchanted 10K on my own, dressed as Cinderella in tatters, just so I could earn that beautiful Glass Slipper Challenge medal.

Cinderella in tatters out! Costume:@sparkleathletic skirt & arm sleeves. Shoes: @newbalance @rundisney w/@sparkleathletic shwings. #runDisney #Cinderella #Enchanted10K #PrincessHalf #GlassSlipperChallenge #teamsparkle #sparkleskirt #sparklerunner #princess #runlikeagirl #runlikeawoman

A photo posted by Karla Bruning (@runkarlarun) on Feb 21, 2015 at 12:48pm PST

Finally, for the half-marathon, our choice was obvious. My sister and I are totally Elsa and Anna. Right down to our birth order, hair, coloring, and temperaments, she’s definitely an Elsa and I’m completely an Anna. We’re a match made in runDisney heaven.

Elsa & Anna! (Photo: MarathonFoto)

Yup, we learned to love team costumes from an early age.

Twinsies! (Photo: RunKarlaRun.com)

Disney Princess Half Marathon: The Course

The Disney Princess Half Marathon takes runners from just outside Epcot to the Magic Kingdom and back.

The Course

The first five miles are a long, and sometimes lonely, stretch of road on the way to Magic Kingdom. Disney lines this section of the course with bands, DJs, and character stops, but at other parts you’ll simply hear the sound of 20,000 pairs of feet pattering away.

Highlights of the first five miles include the car entrance to the Magic Kingdom near Mile 3, which makes for a great photo opp.

Friends Tara and Lesa are runDisney photo superstars! (Photo: runDisney)

Throngs of spectators and Taiko drummers at the Ticket & Transportation Center near Mile 4 always give me a boost.

Drummers! (Photo: runDisney)

And a dancing DJ pumping tunes at the overpass leading to the Contemporary Resort near Mile 5 is also a fave of mine.

Dancing DJ at the overpass (Photo: runDisney)

Mile 5 to 6 is by far the most exciting of the course: the run through Magic Kingdom. No matter how many times I do it, it never gets old.

From the Mile 5 marker, the course is lined with Disney cast members and spectators cheering you on. You’ll hear them before you see them—the roar of the crowds waiting on Main Street USA as you run toward Cinderella Castle. I get so pumped every time.

But before the castle, you’ll turn into Tomorrowland, run through the back of Fantasyland, then through Cinderella Castle from the carousel side and out the front. There are tons of characters, photo opps, and course photographers along the way in Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, before the castle, through the castle, and in front of the castle.

We nailed our Cinderella Castle shot! (Photo: MarathonFoto)

Then you’ll turn into Liberty Square before exiting the park through Frontierland. You’ll find a few more characters awaiting you in this section as you pass the Mile 6 marker and again once you exit the park. Read the rest of this entry →

Photo: runDisney

Missed out on registration for the Disney Princess Half Marathon 2016 presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, including the sold-out Disney Glass Slipper Challenge and Disney Princess Enchanted 10K? Limited bibs are available via charity and tour groups. Runners must register directly through the groups listed below to participate in those three events from February 18-21, 2016 at Walt Disney World in Florida.

While the half-marathon, 10K, and challenge sold out inside of 5 hours, regular registration is still available for the Disney Princess 5K and runDisney Kids Races. At publication time, the 5K was 75 percent full and the kids races were 80 percent sold.

Tickets are also still available for the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend Breakfast and Pasta in the Park Party, both on Friday and Saturday, and the Race Retreat on Sunday. Free, non-ticketed events include the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo from Thursday through Saturday and the Happily Ever After Party at Downtown Disney on Sunday.

(runDisney)

Still Want To Run?

If you really want to run any of the three sold-out races at the Disney Princess Half Marathon 2016, you can still register through a charity or tour group. Contact the following organizations directly to find out how to run the races with them. Charities will ask runners to raise a certain amount of money and tour providers may require purchase of a travel package.

Disney Princess Half Marathon 2016 Charities

runDisney Charity Groups offer guaranteed entries, discounted Walt Disney World theme park tickets, special Walt Disney World hotel rates, and discounts on other amenities at the Disney Princess Half Marathon 2016 Weekend of races. Check with each group individually for their requirements, benefits, and to register with them. Read the rest of this entry →

Lauren Passell wins the 2015 Disney Princess Half Marathon (Photo: Disney)

Registration for the Disney Princess Half Marathon 2016 Weekend presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals opens Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at 12 p.m. ET. The women-focused race weekend will take place at Walt Disney World in Florida from February 18-21, 2016. The race is the sixth largest half-marathon in the U.S., according to Running USA, and the second largest women’s running event with 20,770 finishers in 2014.

(runDisney)

The Disney Princess Half Marathon 2016 Weekend includes the titular Disney Princess Half Marathon, Disney Princess Enchanted 10K, Disney Glass Slipper Challenge, Disney Princess 5K, and runDisney Kids Races.

The Disney Glass Slipper Challenge asks runners to complete both the 10K on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday for a total of 19.3 miles. They’ll earn three medals total: one for each race and one for the challenge. To qualify, runners must register for the Challenge, not each race individually.

The Disney Princess Half Marathon takes runners from Epcot to Magic Kingdom and back, including a run through Cinderella Castle. The 10K and 5K courses traditionally run through Epcot and the Disney BoardWalk area.

The weekend also includes the Happily Ever After Party in Downtown Disney—a post-race celebration on Sunday—and the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from Thursday through Saturday. Both events are free and open to the public. Read the rest of this entry →

My sister and I run through Cinderella Castle. (Photo: MarathonFoto)

When I was 8 years old, I promised myself I’d never forget what it feels like to be a kid.

The inciting incident was simple enough: a grown-up yelled at me, essentially, for having fun—the kind of fun a kid has on warm spring days, doing cartwheels, playing, and running like a girl is apt to do. Maybe I accidentally cartwheeled into her, or maybe I was giggling too loudly. Whatever I’d done, it was completely innocent.

But her grumpy admonition, that I wasn’t being “lady like,” stung. As I sat sulking, staring at the grass stains on my pants, I promised myself I would never be that grumpy grown-up, that I would never forget the glee of childhood, that I would never forget the Barbie slogan of the era: “We girls can do anything.”

It was a solemn promise that I’ve held close to my heart. I run Disney races—dressed in costume as a parade of princesses who stir the child-within—because of that promise. In other words, I run like the girl I used to be and the child at heart I continue to nurture.

I ran the 2015 Disney Princess Half Marathon as a media guest of runDisney, with my sister by my side, and wrote about it for Shape.com.

It was my second go at the race. I’d run it in 2012 dressed as Cinderella with my real-life Prince Charming by my side, in costume too. Having my husband pace me to my then half-marathon PR is still one of my favorite running experiences ever.

But I found running a women’s race with one of the most important women in my life to be another running career highlight.

I make no bones about it: I really enjoy women-focused races. My first 10K was the Oakley New York Mini 10K, the original women’s road race. I’ve since sung the national anthem at that event and worked it as a race announcer, too. I’ve gone on to run the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco, Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland, and SHAPE Diva Dash in New York and Minnesota. I believe that races that focus on women still have a place in the fabric of our sport. Here’s why. Read the rest of this entry →

runDisney comes to Paris (Photo: Disney)

UPDATE 10/13/15: Registration is now open for the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon. Pricing, schedule, and more information is available here:

Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Registration Is Open

UPDATE 6/25/15: Disney has released more information about the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon, including races, schedules, and registration dates. Details are here:

Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend Info Is Here

* * *

It’s official! The much-anticipated inaugural Disneyland Paris Half Marathon is coming to France from September 23-25, 2016. Disney announced the new race at the start of the Disney Princess Half Marathon presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Walt Disney World in Florida on February 22, 2015.

No other information about the race has been released just yet. But you can register your interest at DisneylandParis.com to get more details about the event and registration when it’s released.

My husband has been trying to get me to Paris since we first met seven years ago. As a native Montrealer, he speaks French fluently, attended French school while living abroad as a child, lived and worked in Paris in college, and loves all things French. Methinks this will finally get us to book the trip. I’ve only been to Paris once about 15 years ago. So I’m definitely overdue. I think a runDisney race is the perfect excuse.

How about you? Aspirations to run the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon in 2016?

As a member of the media, I have attended runDisney events courtesy of Disney. But as always, all opinions are purely my own. I really do believe in being honest about my experiences. For more information read my Disclosure Policy.

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The Disney Princess Half Marathon is finally here! Time for the running costume reveal!

Today, I ran the Disney Princess Enchanted 10K as Shredded and Torn Cinderella. It was a bit too cold for my costume as planned—barely 40 degrees!—so I added some arm sleeves.

Torn Cinderella

And best moment of the day: my photo opp with Cinderella! We got a great before and after shot. Thanks Fairy Godmother! Cinderella looks much better after a little magic.

Before and After

But what will I wear to the Disney Princess Half Marathon? On Friday, my sister and I ran as Disney’s most infamous sisters—Anastasia and Drizella. Read the rest of this entry →

Drizella comes together (RunKarlaRun.com)

Sisters! It’s the theme of my Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. Joining me for the 5K and half-marathon is none other than my own sister.

Carrie & Kelly of Sparkle Athletic were my inspiration. (Photo: Disney)

Cue up “Oh, Sing Sweet Nightingale.” It’s time for a little music lesson with Drizella and Anastasia Tremaine, Cinderella’s wicked stepsisters. And, oh, are they nasty. But what fun costumes!

Above is a little sneak peek at my Drizella running costume. We borrowed the idea wholesale from the ladies of Sparkle Athletic, who kindly geared us out for the occasion. If you’re ever looking for costume ideas, be sure to check out their running costume gallery!

If you see us at the race, please say hello! We might just stick out tongues out at you, but only because we’re “in character.”

After playing a bevy of beauties like Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, and Esmeralda at runDisney races, it will be fun to be bad!

As a member of the media, I’m attending the Disney Princess Half Marathon courtesy of runDisney. But as always, all opinions are purely my own. I really do believe in being honest about my experiences. For more information read my Disclosure Policy.

The Inaugural Glass Slipper Challenge medal (Photo: runDisney)

The countdown is on! The Disney Princess Half Marathon 2015 Weekend presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals starts in just a few days! I’ll be running all the races—Disney Princess 5K, Disney Princess Enchanted 10K, and Disney Princess Half Marathon, earning my Glass Slipper Challenge medal in the process.

Running with my Prince Charming at Disney’s Princess Half Marathon. (Photo: brightroom)

Although this weekend snuck up on me, I’m incredibly excited. It will be my seventh runDisney race, second time at Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, and the first doing the Glass Slipper Challenge. For a gal who named her dog Cinderella, this is pretty exciting stuff.

But even more important than earning a Cinderella-themed medal is the woman who will be by my side: my sister.

Back in 2012, my husband (then fiancé) and I ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon as Cinderella and Prince Charming, where he paced me to a new personal best. I’d been training hard and was really excited for the race.

My sister and her kids came along for vacation too. My niece and nephew ran in the runDisney Kids Race, and Sis was out there early on half-marathon morning cheering me on along the course and at the finish.

She’s long been one of my best supporters, coming out to root for me at the Chicago Marathon, New York City Marathon, and other races, often with a home-made sign in hand. Read the rest of this entry →

Prince Mickey and Princess Mickey (runDisney)

Looking for 2016 charity info? Look no further! Run Disney Princess Half Marathon 2016 For Charity

* * *

Missed out on registration for the Disney Princess Half Marathon 2015 presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, including the sold-out Glass Slipper Challenge and Enchanted 10K? Limited bibs are available via charity and tour groups. Runners must register directly through the groups listed below to participate in those three events from February 19-22 at Walt Disney World in Florida.

Frozen’s Elsa makes an appearance at the Princess Half. (runDisney)

Regular registration is still available for the Disney Princess 5K and runDisney Kids Races, both of which will feature a Frozen theme and finisher medals. At publication time, the 5K was 65 percent full and the kids races were 55 percent sold.

Tickets are also still available for the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend Breakfast and Pasta in the Park Party, both on Friday and Saturday, and the Race Retreat on Sunday. Though the Race Retreat and Breakfast are each 52 percent full. Free, non-ticketed events include the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo from Thursday through Saturday and the Happily Ever After Party at Downtown Disney on Sunday.

The Glass Slipper Challenge, where runners complete the Enchanted 10K and Disney Princess Half Marathon on back-to-back days, sold out first in 1 hour and 45 minutes after an hour of technical problems between runDisney.com and the Active.com registration system. Registration opened at 12 p.m. ET on July 15. At 12:34, runDisney posted on Twitter: Read the rest of this entry →

Tutu-da-loo’s Snow White tutu (Tutu-da-loo)

Registration opened today for the Disney Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World in Florida, from February 19-22, 2015. The Glass Slipper Challenge, Princess Half Marathon and Enchanted 10K are already sold out as of 6:30 p.m., while the 5K is 52 percent full and the Kids Races are 50 percent sold.

(Tutu-da-loo)

In honor of the occasion, I’m thrilled to give away a custom-made running tutu courtesy of Tutu-da-loo! One winner will receive a handmade tutu of their choice, perfect for running any themed or costume race. Enter via the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of the post.

Tutus are 9 inches long with a crocheted elastic waistband and two layers of tulle. Sizes range from X-Small to 3XL to cover women’s sizes 0-24. All of Tutu-da-loo’s tutus are custom-made, and they fill special orders as well. For an additional cost, runners can order a 12-inch length via Tutu-da-loo’s Etsy shop.

The winner of this giveaway can pick any basic multi-colored tutu of up to 3 colors, like the one pictured at right.

Or choose a basic single color tutu, like this: Read the rest of this entry →

The Disney Princes Half Marathon finish (Preston Mack/WDW Photo)

UPDATE: The Disney Princess Half Marathon, Enchanted 10K, and Glass Slipper Challenge are sold out. Entries are still available via charity and tour groups:

Run Disney Princess Half Marathon 2015 For Charity or Tour Groups

* * *

Registration for the 2015 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals opens Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at 12 p.m. ET. The women-focused race weekend will take place at Walt Disney World in Florida from February 19-22, 2015. The race is the fourth largest half-marathon in the U.S., according to Running USA, and the second largest women’s running event with 22,739 finishers in 2013.

Here’s what runDisney has planned for 2015, including a Frozen themed 5K and Kids Races with medals to match.

(runDisney)

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

Races include:

• Disney Princess Half Marathon
• Disney Princess Enchanted 10K
• Disney Glass Slipper Challenge
• Disney Princess 5K themed to Frozen
  
• runDisney Kids Races themed to Frozen
  

Other race options include:

• Teams
• Coast-to-Coast Race Challenge
• Disney Castaway Cay Challenge

The Disney Princess Half Marathon takes runners from Epcot to Magic Kingdom and back, including a run through Cinderella Castle. The 10K, 5K courses and Kids Races go through Epcot.

The weekend also includes the Happily Ever After Party in Downtown Disney—a post-race celebration on Sunday—and the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from Thursday through Saturday. Both events are free and open to the public.

The weekend’s ticketed events include the Pasta in the Park Party on Friday and Saturday nights in Epcot with a buffet pasta dinner, Disney character Meet & Greets, DJ, face painter and a reserved viewing spot for “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” a light, laser, and fireworks show; the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend Breakfast on Friday and Saturday after the 5K and 10K, respectively; and VIP Race Retreat Packages, which give runners access to a suite of pre- and post-race amenities. Read the rest of this entry →

At Walt Disney World Half Marathon (RunKarlaRun.com)

The Cinderella pink dress might be my favorite running costume I’ve put together.

After crafting a Cinderella ball gown for the 2012 Disney Princess Half Marathon and Cinderella in rags running costume for the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon, I was excited to dig into the deep cuts for a new take on a Cinderella running costume for the 2014 Walt Disney World Half Marathon.

The pretty in pink “dress for Cinderelly,” as the mice sing, sounded perfect to me. I’ve always loved the dress the mice made with love, crafted from Cinderella’s mother’s gown. It’s a dress fit for a princess.

Pretty in Pink!

How To Make The Cinderella Pink Dress

Registration opens Tuesday, July 15 at noon EST for the 2015 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. If you want to put together your own Cinderella pink dress for the race, here’s my step-by-step “How To” turn this basic skirt and tank…

Basic tank and skirt (RunKarlaRun.com)

into this Cinderella pink dress!

Gather all the pieces for the costume. I have zero background in sewing, so the sewing tools I used were:

1. Needle and thread

2. Hand-sewing machine

3. Safety pins

The costume items I used are:

1. Skirt

2. Tank

3. Petticoat

4. Ribbon (pink and white)

5. Old T-shirt

6. Headband

7. Hair rats

8. Blue beads

9. Shorts

10. Running shoes Read the rest of this entry →

The Brooklyn Half Finish (Photo: nyrr_ontherun/Instagram)

With 25,587 finishers, the NYRR Brooklyn Half Marathon 2014 on Saturday, May 17 surpassed the OneAmerica 500 Festival in Indiana with its 25,521 to become the largest half-marathon in the U.S.

The Nike Women’s Half Marathon San Francisco on October 19, 2014 is likely the only half-marathon with the potential to unseat it.

In 2013, the top five largest half-marathons in the U.S., according to Running USA, were:

1) OneAmerica 500 Festival, Indiana: 30,059 finishers
2) Nike Women’s Half Marathon San Francisco, California: 26,406 finishers
3) Walt Disney World Half Marathon, Florida: 23,148 finishers
4) Disney Princess Half Marathon, Florida: 22,739 finishers
5) NYRR Brooklyn Half Marathon, New York: 21,427 finishers

Rounding out the top 10 in 2013 were five Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series races with 18,000-21,000 finishers: Las Vegas, USA (Washington, D.C.), Philadelphia, San Diego and Nashville.

For 2014, here are the standings. Of the previous top five, only the Nike Women’s Half Marathon San Francisco has yet to be run:

1) NYRR Brooklyn Half Marathon, New York: 25,587 finishers
2) OneAmerica 500 Festival, Indiana: 25,521 finishers
3) Disney Princess Half Marathon, Florida: 20,777 finishers
4) Walt Disney World Half Marathon, Florida: 20,284 finishers
5) St. Jude Country Music Half Marathon, Tennessee: 19,149 finishers

Goofin’ at the start. (Photo: nyrr_ontherun/Instagram)

Brooklyn Half On TV

Befitting such a big race, I spent Brooklyn Half race day at the start outside the Brooklyn Museum and the finish on the Coney Island Boardwalk with “NYRR On the Run” filming a TV episode for ABC in New York. All week long, we ran around Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Half Pre-Party presented by New Balance catching all the action from race week.

If you’re in New York, be sure to tune in to ABC on May 31 at 1:30 pm to see if you made our coverage! After that, the episode will be online at ontherun.nyrr.org.

Until then, here are some photos from my week. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Brooklyn Half is one of my absolute favorite races of the year. I love the pre-party, the course and the vibe. The race was my first half-marathon back in 2010, and I cheered on friends in 2011 and 2012. Now I’ve reported from the Brooklyn Half two years running with “NYRR On The Run” and it’s always a highlight of my year. Read the rest of this entry →