2:15am came way too early, but our plan was to be on the bus by 3am. Apparently if you are not on the bus by 4am, you are not allowed to race! YIKES.
Early morning w/ Angela, me, Whitney and D
Showing off my red lips.
By the time we arrived and dropped off bags, used the restroom, took some pics and hung out it was time to head to the start line. It was about a 20 minute walk to the start line. It was a wonderful 78 degrees with about 93% humidity – BLAH!
We started in corral B, so this was our view of the start.
For every corral The Fairy Godmother counted you down and then fireworks were shot. So cool!
The send off!
There goes corral A!
Corral A start (courtesy of Run Disney)
It was about two miles into the run before we came up on our first character. Luckily it was my favorite Disney character – Caption Jack Sparrow! (FYI – I am already soaked in sweat!)
After Pirates of the Caribbean there were a couple of stops, which I had no idea who it was….so we kept on running. Finally around 5 we entered into the Magic Kingdom…
Finally a park!
Much to my surprise when you went under the sign you ran forever through parking lots! WHAT!!!! At least they had two character stops….
Cinderella’s stepmother and step sisters.
Then we turn a corner and enter into the Magic Kingdom park through the employee entrance. As soon as you enter you are greeted by this….
I haven’t seen Cinderella’s Castle in over 31 years, so needless to say I was a little excited. I am totally a kid when it comes to stuff like this!
OMG! OMG! OMG! THE CASTLE!
I promise I will not show you a ton of pictures of the castle. :)
Ok, last one……
It was so cool, when you were about to run through the castle the guys on top were playing trumpets. Made you feel like royalty. :) The princess has arrived. After the excitement of the castle, the characters we passed I had no idea who they were so we kept running. We did see Cinderella, however the line was about 45 minutes long and she really isn’t my favorite and D didn’t care to wait that long since.
We were in the Magic Kingdom for only a mile and then there was more of this…..
Ok….pretty sick of the highways now!.
About halfway through the run we passed this sign, which was totally true because it was in the 80′s and the humidity really hadn’t died down. Lucky for me by the second water stop I had to start pouring water on my head to stay cooled off.
About half way through.
Then we passed a couple of picture stops we couldn’t pass up……
Mary Poppins
They found my shoe!
Toy Story – Army guy.
And on the highway we passed a couple of cute signs……
Yes, please…..
Finally at mile 12 we headed into Epcot.
Back in a park…finally!
I promise I haven’t told a lie….
Fairy Godmother….
We are almost there!!!
They had story books at every mile marker, so cool!
And the finish…..Time: 2:42 and that was with photo stops, so I was pretty happy because I was planning on coming in over 3 hours.
Now the nerdy part really quick….. “The Numbers”
Half Marathon runners = 23,866 (only 1,341 are men)
International runners = 837 (34 countries)
Bananas = 36,420
Youngest runner = 14
Oldest runner = 96
The Good:
Disney puts on a great event. This was well-organized, plenty of wonderful volunteers, plenty of water/powerade stops. It was really neat stopping to take pictures with characters it broke up the race and it never felt like we ran a half marathon. They also had dj’s on the course blasting some pretty awesome music! After you crossed the finish line you were sprinkled with fairy dust and you received your medal. Then you were given water/powerade and a box full of food. Oh and of course, the medal was awesome!
So pretty!
The Bad:
Most of this race is out on a highway, out of 13.1 miles only about 2 miles are actually in a Disney Park. I expected to be running in mainly parks. (my bad). It was really humid and warm—-which Disney cannot control no matter how magical they are, and while I was in the medical tent with D (who was dealing with dehydration) about 15 people came in with dehydration problems. Then after the race, you had to catch a bus back to your hotel. We stood in line for about 30 minutes, which isn’t too bad considering the line.
Bus line.
Overall this was a really good race, but I will not be running it again. If I do another Disney race it will be the Goofy Challenge with Gary.
Way to be on taking a ton of pictures. It amazed me how many skirts were out there. Hilarious! It looks like you had a really fun time. Good for you!
Tutu’s were everywhere! I have never been in a race with so many people dressed up. Loved people watching
No way, only 2 miles are in the park!? Bummer
Ya know though, I had a friend do the Disney Marathon and she said the same. I guess due to logistics they have to. Tons of good memories in those pics though!
Yeah, that is what I figured. It was still pretty cool though. Hopefully in 2015 we are going to attempt the Goofy Challenge.