Race Recap: 2017 B.A.A. 5K

Boston Marathon weekend is arguably most Bostonians’ favorite weekend of the year: spring is starting to feel REAL after months of cold and snow, and the sun shines bright for our Boston Marathon guests from around the world.

Since I’m a charity coordinator for a Boston Marathon team and have plenty of other work obligations in April, I am so busy that I typically let my running fall by the wayside. This year I decided to make training a priority, especially knowing I have to stay in good running shape for my first marathon – the 2018 Walt Disney World Marathon! As a result, I signed up for the B.A.A. 5K, on Saturday, April 15th. This was a particularly special day to race, as April 15th is also known in Boston as One Boston Day, a tribute to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. It is a reflective day, but also one of hope and togetherness.

B.A.A. 5K Race Recap

Boston Marathon Weekend: 10 Things to do in Boston

I grew up “just outside of Boston.” The Boston Marathon is highly revered in Massachusetts and it is arguably the most prestigious road race on earth. Runners from all over the world have trained countless hours to either qualify on their own, or run on charity teams, raising money for many incredible causes to help make this world a better place.

For those who do not know, I am a charity coordinator for one of those charities. For years, I’ve watched runners, who wouldn’t normally be able to run Boston because of the intense time qualifications, live out their dreams of running the Boston Marathon, while raising funds for very important causes- hospitals, education, social services- they are motivated to run and finish the race for those who have supported their cause and for the very lives who benefit from their funds raised.

I am so thrilled to be able to call this my profession, and every year I look forward to cheering on my runners during Marathon Monday. Will I run someday? I hope so! But in the meantime, I love seeing the look of sheer joy on their faces as they come to me at the finish line wrapped in their mylar blankets sporting their shiny, new medal.

If you are planning on running the Boston Marathon on April 17, congratulations! Are you from out of town staying for the weekend and have no idea what to do while you visit? Here are my top 10 things to do while you’re here! For those of you who aren’t participating but are curious about what a Boston Marathon weekend looks like, keep reading!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Comes Alive at Night

I love Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I visited during my first family trip to Walt Disney World in 1999 and it became a staple of our visits. Animal Kingdom piques my curiosity and imagination like no other park on property. I find the exotic nature of the park with its winding pathways, lush greenery, and nods to faraway lands ever enjoyable. Every time I go to leave the park for the day I take one last look at the Tree of Life and say to myself “I’ll see you again soon.”

With my nostalgic love of Animal Kingdom, I am also pleased that Disney Imagineers have worked hard to revamp the park and make it a nighttime destination.

Enchanted 10k Recap Video

Check out our POV recap of the Disney Princess Half-Marathon Weekend Enchanted 10k! Thanks to Gravity.Video for sponsoring the edit.

2017 Disney Princess Half-Marathon Race Recap

Hear Ye, Hear Ye: Congratulations to all my fellow princes and princesses who participated in the 2017 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals! After months of training and preparation (we signed up in JULY ’16!) it’s hard to believe that this magical weekend is over.

I thought it might be fun to introduce my boyfriend, Tommy, to you all and have him share his perspective on the race weekend. While he is very familiar with the 3AM wakeup call as my official runDisney chEARleader, he celebrated his first ever race, the Enchanted 10K. For anyone thinking about trying a runDisney race, as a first-timer Tommy offers a perspective of which you will be able to relate.

With time to finally gather our thoughts, here is the Will Run for Disney 2017 Princess Half race recap: