15 runDisney Highlights in 2015

Welcome to the next stop on Magical Blogorail Red.  Today we are discussing one of my favorite topics- runDisney!

Happy New Year runners, walkers and distance dreamers!  Out with the old, in with the new; the runDisney brand is never static and fans are anxiously awaiting that next magical mile.  If you are in training, a dose of pixie dust always gives a pep to the step.  If you have not yet committed to this Disney phenomenon, perhaps I can entice you with just 15 baby laps…

1.   Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna
This year’s event was marked by BIG action at the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo. The 10th anniversary of the Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge brought a new medal and new designs for race wear.  Roll-out of the new, limited-edition 2015 New Balance shoes made retro fans happy happy.  Also notable were the new, limited-release runDisney logo MagicBands that were available for purchase at the Expo.  Compared to Dooney & Bourke bags, this $24.95 “wristlet” is a far cheaper mode of showing your colors at the parks!

2.   Runners and families participating in this weekend can add a dreamy “plus” to their accomplishments with one more piece of bling.  The inaugural Castaway Cay Challenge sets sail on January 12th with a 4-night Bahamian cruise on the Disney Dream.   Castaway Cay 5K participants will run along one of the most beautiful, pristine beaches I have ever seen.  As if paradise is not reward enough, the dazzling Castaway Cay Challenge finisher medal will be their final treasure.

The stars and costumes are aligned for next week’s Rebel Challenge.

3.   Characters like you’ve never seen them.  Really.  Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend presented by Sierra Nevada Corporation will potentially appeal to an unexplored galaxy of runner fans.  Personally, it was the final motivation for me to take on my first runDisney challenge; one race to run, one race for photos with these otherworldly characters!  “We meet at last!”

4. The Wookiee Welcome Party marks  Disneyland’s first runDisney special ticketed event for runners, their families, and fans. (Walt Disney World has offered the Pre-Race Taste, Finish Line Party, Disney Villians Hollywood Bash, for example.)  During this race kick-off, party-goers will be treated to a dessert reception, galactic character meet and greets, and exclusive access to Disneyland’s Tomorrowland attractions.  No doubt cries of “let the Wookiee win” will be the mantra for the evening.

5.  A new, flatter course through Anaheim neighborhoods will make this runner very appreciative.

6.   Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals will for the first time offer its own Castaway Cay Challenge.  Such regal temptation!  I simply must work on the royal coffers for next year…

7.    This will be your last chance to spot that Yeti; the 2015 Expedition Everest Challenge is most likely its last, as it does not appear on next year’s calendar.  Adventure-seekers have long-loved this obstacle course/run/scavenger hunt format.  As construction progresses at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, look for another event that will highlight this park’s new offerings in the future.  Can an Avatar “Fly with the Banshees” race be far behind??

Bring the bling!

7.   Faith, trust and jewelry.  The 2015  Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend presented by PANDORA Jewelry marks a sterling silver, 14K gold alliance between runDisney and Pandora.  Honestly, runDisney medals are spectacular, but you can’t necessarily wear them to the ladies luncheon.  That PANDORA bracelet, however, will be quite the conversation starter.  I call my Dooney & Bourkes “brag bags.”  Imagine the attention these shiny baubles will command.

8.  This event was moved from January to Mother’s Day weekend.  Can’t you just imagine the scores of photos of moms crossing the finish lines arm-in-arm with their sons and daughters?  (And how many of those kids will be buying a Tinker Bell PANDORA charm for their mom??)  Tissue alert!

9.  More bling.  Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend will finally get its very own challenge.  And an inaugural Pixie Dust Challenge medal.  Airport metal detectors will surely be getting quite a workout on May 11th.

10.   The 10th anniversary of the Happiest Race on Earth is sure to bring with it some magical goodies.  Registration for the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna opens on February 10th, so stay tuned.  **With the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration in full swing, who knows what surprises are in store.  At the very least, this will be an exciting time to visit these Anaheim parks!  UPDATE:  On the heels of the successful Wookie Welcome Party, the Disneyland Half Marathon 10th Anniversary Party has been unveiled!

11.   Sadly, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend is not on the calendar either and Cars Land construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is most likely to blame.

Running down the Streets of America in days gone by.

12.   Likewise, there may need to be some course changes made to Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend.  Running through The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights has been a true bright spot during the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon, but this too may be difficult given park construction.

Cosplay along the 2014 Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon course.

13.   A quite unexpected bonus at this year’s Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend was the line-up of Marvel fans from Club Cosplay who lined the course enforce.  This novel alliance with non-Disney personnel seemed to work quite well and these mighty “characters” provided a much-welcomed distraction  along the cold, windy and dusty stretch of the Santa Ana river path.  These players were such a hit with runners that I would be shocked if they don’t increase their “mission” in 2015.

14.  Could a challenge be coming the Alliance’s way?  In November, I heard some grumbling that an Avengers 10K and “super” challenge medal would have been fitting and pretty Marvelous.  ** UPDATE:  It’s official!  With the addition of the new Captain America 10K, there will indeed be an “INfinity Gauntlet Challenge!!”

15.    The superstar of the 2015 runDisney race season is most likely something yet unknown and beyond our imagination.  While 2014 was the year of the runDisney 10K, race challenge medals. and the announcement of two new race weekends, we will have to be patient to see what really gets our runDisney juices flowing.  I still see several holes in the runDisney calendar.  A new race destination?  Aulani?  Disneyland Paris?  An additional themed race?  Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog after Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend fans.  runDisney knows a thing or two about forward momentum!!  **UPDATE:  The royal declaration came during the Disney Princess Half Marathon; the Disneyland Paris Inaugural Half-Marathon Weekend is indeed a reality for September 23-25, 2016!!  Have you signed up to receive the updates delivered to your inbox yet?  Magnifique!

Thank you for joining me today.  The next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is Two Moms and a Mouse.