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I just came in from my morning run with my dog, so it seems appropriate that now I’d sit down to write about the Disney Parks’ many marathons. I run for the sake of my health and my dog’s health, however, not so much for fun, so don’t expect to hear of me signing up for any of these any time soon.
For 2012 runDisney has added another marathon to its schedule. The Los Angeles Examiner reports that on January 29, 2012 Disneyland will host the Tinker Bell Half Marathon. This is another event exclusively for women, joining the already-established Disney Princess Half Marathon.
Last year I wrote about The Disney World Marathon weekend, but I had no idea that between the two parks there are so many running events. The official runDisney website calendar currently lists a total of seven marathons, and given that the Tinker Bell one was just announced I wouldn’t be that surprised if more join the list in the future.
Aside from the aforementioned runs and the normal marathons held both in Disneyland and Disney World, there are a few other interesting events. The Expedition Everest Challenge, held on May 7, takes runners into the Animal Kingdom. Over the course of the 5K run, participants must pick their way through an obstacle-ridden path, solve puzzles left to hint towards the correct direction, and avoid the Yeti guarding the Forbidden Mountain.
While the Expedition Everest Challenge is for the adventurous, Disney World offers another event for athletes who also enjoy the finer things in life. In the fall over the Epcot Food & Wine Festival runners can take part in the Wine & Dine Half Marathon. This nighttime marathon offers entertainment during the course of the run, which culminates in a private Epcot after-party.
Just passed, and likely to come again next March, is the Champion 5K at Dick’s Sporting Goods Presents ESPN The Weekend. This mouthful of a multi-sponsored race allows runners on the course of their Disney Hollywood Studios trek to meet famous athletes and ESPN personalities. The event benefits The V Foundation for Cancer Research.
I think it’s really neat that Disney offers so many marathons. I have to admit that I’m somewhat miffed by the two women’s-only events; their individual websites are bedecked in pink, purple, and sparkly princess slippers and fairies. Apparently Disney characters show up during the course of the race and runners can wear special athletic princess or fairy costumes.
Anyone running a race obviously takes it seriously, so why are the two women’s-only events decked out like some children’s party? Does Disney really think that determined runners require such twee motivation?
I must be the only one who thinks that way, because the Princess run must have been so popular that the Tinker Bell marathon was added out of necessity. It wouldn’t really make sense for another women’s-only half marathon to be added for any other reason.
Each marathon takes up an entire weekend, during which a variety of related events are on offer. Some of those even include races for kids and for the whole family. For full event information, including registration, head on over to the runDisney website.
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*(This image by sergis blog is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.)
