A seal assembly is disclosed for sealing a higher pressure fluid cavity from a lower pressure fluid cavity. The seal assembly comprises a mounting assembly, a circumferential ceramic runner carried by the mount assembly, and a carbon seal ring sealingly engaged to the runner. The runner comprises an axially-extending sealing portion and a radially-inward-extending step portion. The mounting assembly comprises a retaining member, a forward member, and a middle member. The step portion of the runner is axially retained between the retaining member and the middle member.