Rise and Run

The kind of weekend that turns runners into storytellers started with lines out the door and ended with smiles wider than Main Street. We dig into the real Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: the Dopey merch experiment that strained patience, a 5K power outage that couldn’t dim the vibe, and shoes, shirts, and sizing choices that had everyone talking. Then we lace up for the races—Epcot-forward 10...

Start lines can carry more than nerves—they can carry whole lives. We kick off Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend with equal parts heart and how-to, celebrating Jack's wedding, sharing practical travel and cheering plans, and diving into two stories that remind us why miles matter. Wendy opens her journey with honesty about grief’s physical weight after losing her husband; a man who once sign...

A fractured kneecap, a missed flight to Honolulu, and a coaching mindset stronger than ever—Jeff Galloway joins us with candid lessons on healing, pacing, and performing when it counts. We kick off the new year one week from Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, and Jeff brings the practical wisdom runners need: how to decide when it’s safe to return from injury, why walking long sessions preserves...

A little Christmas magic meets marathon grit. We open with holiday cheer, community thanks, and a few playful ideas—from telethons to extra-big meetup cookies—before diving into a rewind that still gives us goosebumps: the Walt Disney World Marathon story of first-time marathoner and champion, Stephanie Muscat. Stephanie’s path started in the pool. Years of swimming turned into tentative laps on a...

The early alarms, the corrals, the castle, the finish line glow—Marathon Weekend is closer than it feels, and we’re tackling the questions you’re actually asking. We dig into the big simulation week and why it’s more about patience than pace, then talk taper calm and how to internalize race pace without burning yourself out. From there, we zoom into the choices that matter: smart carb loading at D...

The alarm hits at 2 a.m., the corrals open in the dark, and somehow the magic feels brighter than ever. We bring together Dopey veterans and a first‑timer to unpack the real playbook for Marathon Weekend: how to shop the expo without losing your day, when to join the virtual queue, and which transport options get you to EPCOT stress‑free. From the 5K’s calm walk to the marathon’s 4:30 a.m. start,...

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on one of the most misunderstood parts of the runDisney experience—the Dead Last Start. Often seen as a disadvantage, the DLS is actually a unique community filled with resilience, camaraderie, and surprising benefits. We’ll break down what the Dead Last Start really is, clear up common misconceptions, and hear firsthand stories from runners who’ve embraced st...

A rainy run outside Tokyo Disneyland. A Thanksgiving table full of training plans, inside jokes, and hard-won wisdom. And a milestone we never imagined hitting: 500,000 downloads. This one brings the energy, the honesty, and the practical tools you need heading into Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and the Dopey simulation. We walk through the training calendar and get tactical about the big Dop...

A game show rivalry meets runner wisdom in a rubber match that’s equal parts chaotic, helpful, and heartfelt. We pit Team Rise and Run against Team Will Run For in a custom Family Feud built from real Run Disney life: favorite expo merch, the best post‑race resort pools, the cleanest, quietest in‑park bathrooms for that urgent corral P‑stop, and the most energizing on‑course entertainment that isn...

The miles are getting long, the holidays are closing in, and motivation is wobbling—so we get honest about what actually works. We talk through the head game of marathon training: patience over pace on long runs, how to break the distance into chunks that calm your mind, and why comparing speeds on social media can derail your best week. You’ll leave with simple mental cues, smarter pacing targets...

The sunrise hits the Staten Island Ferry and everything changes. We go from small talk to big miles fast—unpacking 2026 Coast to Coast qualification, why Wine and Dine is sticking to October, and how that choice ripples into Marine Corps and New York City plans. If you’re eyeing runDisney weekends or plotting a world major, the booking and timing intel here will save you stress and money. We dive...

Start with a sunrise 5K in costume, add a social 10K with better photo flow, then stir in a half marathon that put course design under the microscope. That’s the arc of this Wine and Dine weekend—equal parts magic, logistics, and heart. We walk you through the expo’s new rhythms , a refreshed core runDisney merch line with some questionable shirt cuts, and the small tweaks that make or break a big...

The fastest way to upgrade a race weekend isn’t a workout—it’s a conversation. We kick off the 2025 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend with a clear plan to turn nerves into connection, mapping exactly where to find us before each start, how to spark easy chats in the corrals, and why your first bus and first hello can change the whole vibe. If you’re arriving solo, you don’t have to stay that w...

The countdown to Wine & Dine is on, and the energy is real. We swap last‑week training moves, practical travel advice for 2026 bookings, and a surprisingly useful shoe debate: are Brooks’ Stitch-themed Glycerines a smarter buy than limited race-weekend drops? Then we bring in a conversation that will change how you see your run, your city, and your next trip to Disney. Author and advocate Doug...

Ready to arrive at the start line feeling like a coiled spring instead of a burnt match? Coach Chris Twiggs joins us to lay out a clear, no-nonsense roadmap for the final weeks before race day—why tapering wins races, how to dial in run-walk ratios, and what actually matters for multi-day challenges like Wine & Dine and Dopey. We dig into the simple details that make a huge difference: 30-seco...

This week we bring all of it together—training breakthroughs, fandom debates, and the power of community—with NYT bestselling author AJ Wolfe, the voice behind Disney Food Blog and AllEars. We dig into her book Disney Adults asking why the label sparks so much heat online, and how subcultures like DisneyBounding, Dapper Days, and RunDisney become places people actually live. AJ doesn’t sugarcoat i...

Costumes transform runDisney races from mere athletic events into moving celebrations of creativity and character. In this lively episode, we welcome back the Rise and Run Council of Costumes – a panel of expert race-day costumers who've turned heads and sparked joy with their elaborate designs. What makes a successful race costume? Our council reveals the delicate balance between showstoppin...

Episode 208 transports us to the heart of Amish country as we dive deep into the Bird in Hand Half Marathon weekend. "It's like running through a postcard," our friend, Ryan, commented.  From camel selfies to cornfield runs, our special guests Ellie, Carrie, Tracy, and Kim capture the pastoral magic that makes this event unlike any other running experience. You'll feel like you...

Running truly connects us across continents, time zones, and finish lines—a truth brilliantly illustrated in this globe-spanning episode. We begin with a comprehensive look at the triumphant return of Disneyland racing through the Halloween-themed race weekend that kicked off the 2025-2026 runDisney season. Our panel of runners shares firsthand experiences navigating the Disneyland expo, enjoying...

What drives someone to document their first marathon journey? In this captivating episode, we dive deep with filmmaker Andres Vargas who created a professional documentary about training for and completing his first marathon at Walt Disney World. Despite having no prior filmmaking experience, Andres crafted a compelling story that captures both the physical demands and emotional rollercoaster of m...

What does it take to rise from refugee to Olympic medalist? Marathon legend Meb Keflezighi reveals his extraordinary journey from war-torn Eritrea to becoming the only American to win Boston, New York, and an Olympic medal in the marathon. Meb's story begins with a father who walked 225 miles to escape persecution, a family separated for five years, and a young boy who discovered his talent b...

Every finish line moment you've celebrated was made possible by someone who showed up before dawn, prepared water stations, or cheered when you needed it most. In this heartfelt episode, we pull back the curtain on race volunteering with insights from experienced volunteers who've supported events from local 5Ks to the Boston Marathon. Our volunteer panel—Ilyana, Steve, Kay, and Mike—sha...

Pack your running shoes and Mickey ears—it's time to prepare for the upcoming Run Disney race season! This episode dives into all the exciting events on the horizon, with just three weeks until the Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend and ten weeks until Wine and Dine. Magic Bound Travel's Brad and Maggie join us to share valuable insights about upcoming Disney parks events, includ...

Have you ever wondered how a simple cheek swab could save someone's life? In this deeply moving episode, we're joined by representatives from the National Marrow Donor Program who explain how their registry connects blood cancer patients with life-saving donors. Our guest Abby shares her powerful personal journey of receiving a stem cell transplant that cured her cancer, reminding us tha...

What's it like to be the voice that gets you up that brutal hill during a runDisney race? In this milestone episode, we pull back the curtain with Disney entertainer Jodi Chase, who reveals the method behind the "annoying" character she portrays alongside her race course partner Angie. "We're trying to be as annoying as possible so that you will not want to stop," Jod...