Rise and Run

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're right alongside them as th...

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 extensive park time during both the...

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 marathon preparation.

Andre...

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 by simply trying to earn an...

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—share what motivates them to ...

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, including the opening of the new...

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 that sometimes the most profound acts ...

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," Jody laughs, explaining how this strat...

For our landmark 200th episode, we're joined by a running legend who needs no introduction—Jeff Galloway, Olympian, author, coach, and the revolutionary mind behind the Run-Walk-Run method. 

Jeff takes us back to his humble beginnings as an overweight eighth-grader who could barely run half a mile before "hitting the wall." From those inauspicious starts, we follow his journey through collegiate running alon...

In episode 199, we visit with runDisney royalty Alan and Grace Young, who share their remarkable 30+ year journey with Walt Disney World Marathon. Alan holds the incredible distinction of running every single Walt Disney World Marathon since its 1994 inception—a legacy he's maintained through strokes, surgeries, and countless challenges. "I never consider not finishing as an option," he explains, offering a mastercla...

The iconic Balloon Ladies return to the podcast, sharing the story behind runDisney's most recognizable pace team. Molly and Kathleen pull back the curtain on what it really means to maintain the critical 16-minute pace that determines whether runners complete their Disney race journey or face the dreaded sweep.

Their fascinating origin story begins with dollar store balloons and evolves into a runDisney institution t...

When does a running group become family? The #runDopey  crew joins us to celebrate their sixth anniversary, sharing how they've grown from a small accountability group to a 6,000-member community transforming the runDisney experience through positivity, unforgettable costumes, and what they call "shenanigans."

As official Dopey Challenge training kicks off this week (27 weeks until Marathon Weekend!), their ...

Summer is here, and it's time to adapt your running strategy to the heat. Coach Chris Twiggs, Chief Training Officer for Jeff Galloway and Perfect Disney Marathoner (gearing up for his 33rd consecutive event!), joins us to share invaluable wisdom that will transform your warm-weather training.

The conversation goes beyond just beating the heat. Coach Twiggs addresses returning from injuries, fueling strategies for lon...

Professional trail runner Brittany Charbonneau joins us for a heartfelt, inspiring, and fun conversation about her journey through pregnancy, motherhood, and returning to competitive racing. Four months after giving birth to her son Hugo following a 27-hour labor and C-section, Brittany shares the emotional and physical realities of balancing elite athleticism with new motherhood.

What makes this episode particularly speci...

What happens when you have nowhere to pee during a 4 a.m. training run? Which runDisney half marathon truly delivers the best experience? And does anyone actually know how to change a flat tire without calling AAA? This packed episode delivers answers to these burning questions and many more as we dive into our listener mailbag.

The debate gets heated when discussing whether Wine and Dine or Marathon Weekend offers the sup...

What can marathon training teach us about effective leadership? In this thought-provoking episode, we're joined by Celia, Executive Director of the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy, who draws fascinating parallels between conquering 26.2 miles and navigating the challenges of executive leadership.

Celia shares how she transformed from someone who "loathed running" during her time at West Point t...

What does it take to create a race experience so special that runners travel from across the country to participate? Lowell Ladd, race director of the Bird in Hand Half Marathon Weekend, joins us to reveal the behind-the-scenes magic of organizing this beloved event in Pennsylvania's Amish country.

From handcrafted horseshoe medals to running past actual camels at mile 12, this race offers experiences you simply won&a...

Have you spotted the hats and shirts with "Pelkey Running Club" at recent runDisney events? What began as a one-time costume joke has blossomed into a global running phenomenon, and we're bringing you the full story straight from the source.

We sit down with Grant, the club's founder, and John Pelkey himself—the beloved runDisney announcer who went from joking about runners' early wake-up calls to ...

What if injuries aren't inevitable, but predictable events with upstream warning signs we can actually address? Henry Abbott, award-winning journalist and founder of True Hoop, joins us to discuss his groundbreaking book "Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance" that challenges everything we thought we knew about athletic durability.

Abbott shares fascinating insights from his research...