The Irish Mail on Sunday

On your marks... it’s a race to Magic Kingdom

- By Jenni Falconer

I’ve never done anything quite like the Disneyland Paris half-marathon. The race begins at 7am. I joined thousands of others on the start line and before long we were heading through a backstage area before venturing past all the amazing rides.

Then came the best bit: we ran through Magic Kingdom as the sun was slowly rising and we were greeted by Mickey Mouse and Minnie.

One of the quirks of doing this race is you can pose with various Disney characters along the route. I hurtled past Jack Sparrow and Goofy but then I ran through Magic Castle and couldn’t resist a snap with Snow White and then Rapunzel. The race also takes you into the French countrysid­e, and we were cheered on by locals.

Once I’d finished the race (in a not unrespecta­ble time of one hour and 44 minutes), I headed back to our Disneyland hotel for a Character Breakfast. Here you can get photos with Pluto and the gang, so my young daughter Ella was in heaven. After eating, I even had enough stamina to head straight back to the park and go on some rides.

Disney organises similar running events at its US parks. That sounds like a good excuse to pack my trainers and head to Florida…

The Disneyland Paris Magic Run Weekend will return on September 20-23, 2018. For informatio­n visit run.disneyland paris.

com/bookings.

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