Disneyland 5K Recap: My First runDisney Race!

I finally did it - I ran my first Disneyland race and my first runDisney 5K! And wow, what an experience. From the ridiculously early wake-up call to the absolute magic of running through the parks, it was everything I hoped for and more.

The Early Wake-Up Struggle & Pre-Race Fun

Let’s be real: waking up in the middle of the night to go run isn’t exactly anyone's ideal, but once I was up and moving, the excitement kicked in. Parking was super easy, and finding my way to the corrals was a breeze.

The best part was definitely starting on Main Street, U.S.A. Disney went all out with Guardians of the Galaxy-themed projections on the buildings, making it feel like we were stepping right into the movie. There was also some great pre-race entertainment, which helped wake me up a little (or at least distract me from how early it was). I even got to see my friend Kristen as we were heading into the corrals - such a fun little surprise!

The Race: Running Through the Parks

Once we got going, I quickly realized that starting in Corral D meant things were going to be pretty crowded. There were walkers everywhere, and it was tough to actually run. I ended up doing a mix of running and walking, just trying to take it all in and enjoy the experience.

And wow, what an experience it was! The entire race took us through Disneyland and California Adventure, which was so fun. One of my favorite moments was running past Cars Land - I’d never seen it in person before, and it was absolutely incredible! Seeing all the neon lights lit up in the early morning was such a cool moment.

The Finish Line

Before I knew it, I was making my way to Pixar Pier, and suddenly, the race was over! It flew by so fast. I honestly wasn’t ready for it to end - I could have kept running just to soak in more of the parks.

Final Thoughts

Even with the crowded corral, this race was pure magic. The energy, the entertainment, running through Disneyland - it all made for such an unforgettable experience. And now? I can’t wait to do another Disneyland race!

Have you ever done a runDisney race? Which one was your favorite? I’d love to hear all about it!