Be Dopey With Me: WDW Marathon Weekend Registration Today

It's that time again. Time to register to runDisney. Today, Tuesday April 26 at noon EDT registration opens for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.

I've written quite a bit about marathon weekend. It's my personal favorite, for the number of events they offer and because it was my first half marathon. Also, being in the northeast, hard to beat running away to Florida in January. Special this year, the half marathon is celebrating the 20th anniversary, which always means extra special bling, shirt, and fanfare.

You can read a great description about the weekend and all the events on my past post about the runDisney schedule. You can also read my recaps of the 5K and half marathon or read up about the expo. The weekend offers 4 races, 2 challenges and the opportunity to earn 6 medals. That's a lot of hardware: 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon, Goofy Challenge and Dopey Challenge. You can also follow up the weekend with a cruise to land the Castaway Cay Challenge. Not to be left out are the little ones, with a wide range of kids races. All the prices (but also add in some fees for Active.com) can be found but clicking on the registration menu on the WDW Marathon page. Sometimes it feels hard to find. Here's a screenshot from a runDisney email listing them as well.

This year, I will be running the full Dopey Challenge. That's right, I'll be doing all 4 races across 4 days. I'll actually be running with a charity, Sophie and Madigan's Playground, but more on that to come. You should join me! Whether it's one race, all the races or something in between, it's a fun time. I'll be running with my cousin Derek for all 4, my running buddy Oswald for the half, and I may have even suckered in my friend Derek as well for all 4 races.

If you're looking to run at Walt Disney World next January, set yourself a reminder. runDisney races have been going a little slower lately, but the big challenges still go quick.

Have your run WDW Marathon weekend? Will you be running at Walt Disney World in 2017?

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Five Things to Love About runDisney

I keep hearing more often about the high cost of runDisney. Yes, the registration fees are higher compared to other races of the same distances. And yes, the cost can stack up with travel, on site accommodations, park tickets, food, etc. Frankly, that's going to happen with any destination race, there's just more to do when you're going to Disney. But you know what, there is plenty to love about runDisney. For that higher registration fee, you get an A++ experience. This week, I'm using the Friday Five linkup to address this. It fits perfectly into the topic, that was built with a fill-in-the-blank. This week's topic is

Five Things to Love About runDisney

1. The Bling and the Shirts

Fighting... urge... to... register...

I love both the race shirt and medals you get from a runDisney race. They're awesome quality. With the exception of the 5K races, they great quality tech shirts with cool designs. The bling is heavy duty, awesome designs that constantly get updated and refreshed. You even get unique medals that spin or with a working compass (in the case of Expedition Everest). Anniversary years for races or challenges also come with special designs. Just check out the 10 year Goofy Challenge shirt and medal recently shown off. Spots are still available for the challenge. I wish I was one of them. (Anyone want to finance my trip? You can pick my #2 from this list...)

2. The Costumes

One thing you'll see at Disney more than any other races are costumes. I love that about runDisney. You'll have everything from picture perfect outfits that look straight out of the movie to very cool "inspired" costumes that may look like what Snow White would choose if she was running the Princess Half Marathon. I prefer the more full on costume for the shorter distances like the 5K, where it's untimed, and the less cumbersome inspired ones for the longer half marathons. Just like Disney in general, you get to be a big kid without having to worry. I am a very big kid inside (and out really).

3. The ChEAR Squad 

Sporting the ChEAR Squad shirt
with Mary Poppins herself!

If you're familiar with this, I don't mean just the actual ChEAR Squad, which is a package you can buy at WDW Marathon weekend, but the spectators in general. I just wanted to use ChEAR. You see, it says EAR, like Mickey is know for his ears... get it? See, it's a clever name. Anyway, the spectators at the races are great. As with any long course, there are portions where there is no one but the runners and the sporadic volunteer, but throughout the course, I've never seen more people cheering on anyone running by them. It's fantastic. When you head through the parks, it's LINED with people. When you're slow and later like me, it's not just people there who know people running. It's people who just happen to be at the park, stopping to cheer. It really helps give you a boost on the course like you wouldn't believe. It really adds to the magic.

4. Running through the Parks

Why yes, that was awesome to do.

And speaking of magic [kingdom], one thing you'll get nowhere else is running through the parks. I love Disney. I love the Disney parks. Getting to run through them, around them, through back cast areas... fantastic. When else can you run down Main Street USA, out through Cinderella's Castle, around the Tree of Life, by Everest, around a giant Sorcerer's hat, circle through 9 countries and out Spaceship Earth (the giant golf ball for the non-Disney) all in ONE course?! That's the Marathon in January in a nutshell. Even the 5K went under Test Track, around through the countries and out under Spaceship Earth. It's hard to beat. The same thing goes in California, running through both parks there as well as some of Anaheim. Where else do you run the magic like that?

5. Run-cation in Florida or California (or coming soon, Paris)

Lastly, part of the cost for people is also one of the things I love. Running in a runDisney race means a trip to Florida or California. Who doesn't love that kind of trip? I mean, from traveling from the cold northeast to Florida in January? Heaven. When we left it was so cold we had to wait to board the plane because the breezeway door froze open so they had to shut it so the walk to the plane wasn't too cold. I will gladly leave that for a sunny 70 degree day. Sure, the cost of the run-cation is why I can't go in January, but that's mainly so I can take one later in October (so don't feel too bad).

Of course, if you're following the runDisney rumor mill, the runDisney schedule will include Disneyland Paris in fall 2015. If that interests you, you may want to make sure your passport is ready and start saving for an international run-cation, and tentatively keep September 2015 open.

Honorable Mentions a.k.a. Cheating in a List of 5 Things

I also need to throw in here the awesome way they do food post race at runDisney. I'm not even talking about the wonderful options you have around Disney property. At the end, there are tables and tables of water and Powerade. After that, there are tents you go by and they give you a snack box and banana. The box has a very good assortment of snacks. The beauty of this method is people can't be jerks and take all the food. Even if you're the last person, you know they'll have a box waiting for you. And speaking of the last person...

They treat the last person to cross the finish line like the first. They never leave early. They never take down water stations or barriers before you get there. They are there cheering until the last possible second. Don't believe me? Check the runDisney blog and video from the Tinker Bell Half Marathon in 2013. A++ experience. The only way Disney knows how.

A Helping Hand

Liked this post and want to see more? Just want to do me a favor anyway? I recently started a Facebook page to go with my blog (you're reading it now) and Twitter (@rgrdisney) when I did my giveaway, so I'd love if you'd help it grow and give it a like. If you do and drop me a message, I'd be more than happy to return the favor. Thanks.

</self-promotion>

Linking Up

Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!

Our hosts:

You Signed Up for What?! - Five Things to Love About My Vacation

Mar on the Run - Blogging Conference Love

Eat Pray Run, DC - Five Things to Love About Summer

Some other good reads, pulled from the link up

Heather @ Divas Run For Bling - 5 Things I Love About Half Marathons

Nicole @ Fitful Focus - Five Thins I Love About Life Right Now

Jennifer @ Run Jenny Run - Five Things I Love About J&A Races


Image credits:
Goofy medal & shirt - runDisney Facebook

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Registration Day: WDW Marathon Weekend

It's here. Registration day for WDW Marathon Weekend. I think it's going to be a quick one this year. This year is the 10th anniversary of the Goofy Challenge. Anniversary years are alway big. They also always include a special medal design.

I absolutely love this one. Being a huge Goofy fan, I had hoped to run the Goofy Challenge this year, to push myself and to earn some sweet Goofy bling. However, financially can't swing the trip with everything else this year and next. Need to save where I can. I looked into some charities, but still couldn't pull the trigger on any of them either. I encourage you to look into them if you're interested. They list them on the runDisney page under the registration page.

Registration opens at noon, and I wouldn't suggest waiting. Have an active.com account ready to go and know your password / already be logged in, since runDisney uses them for registration purposes.

I know some people who will be running, so why not join them? You know you want to...

Update (1pm): One hour in and Dopey is at 80%, 10K at 70%, Half at 60%, 5K at 60%, full and surprisingly Goofy not showing yet. I guess the hit that Dopey was, people are thinking, why not add the 2 more races because you still get Goofy that way.

Update (2:20pm): 10K is gone! Dopey and 5K at 90%. Half at 70%. Now's the time if you want 6 medals in 4 days.

Update (4pm): 5K, 10K and Dopey are all sold out. Half is up to 85% and full is at 50%. Goofy isn't showing yet, which means it is under 50%, but may grow now that Dopey is gone.

Update (24hrs): 5K, 10K, Half and Dopey are sold out. Full Marathon is 50% and Goofy is < 50% and kids races are still available. Still time to get the 10th anniversary medal.

Image credit: rundisney.com

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