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Magical Miles: The Runner's Guide to Disneyland 2017
Magical Miles: The Runner's Guide to Disneyland 2017
Magical Miles: The Runner's Guide to Disneyland 2017
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Magical Miles: The Runner's Guide to Disneyland 2017

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It takes expert planning to incorporate a runDisney event into an already jam-packed family vacation. Magical Miles: The Runner's Guide to Disneyland will guide you through all runDisney events, outlining the answers to difficult questions, including: Offering advice on resorts, restaurants, race registration, packing tips, spectator information, training, race day information and much more, this guidebook gives participants peace of mind before heading into their first or fiftieth runDisney event. Having experienced runDisney events, Disney resorts and restaurants, along with in-depth research about runDisney events and logistics, the author of the Runner's Guide to Disneyland has every aspect of your vacation and race covered.
LanguageEnglish
PublisherBookBaby
Release dateApr 3, 2017
ISBN9780998653211
Magical Miles: The Runner's Guide to Disneyland 2017

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    Book preview

    Magical Miles - Megan Biller

    runDisney

    More popular than ever, runDisney races are a great way to combine a vacation with a race. With nine race weekends to choose from, there is one for every runner and family. As the writing of the Runner’s Guide to Disneyland began, the goal was, and is, to give detailed information on how to make your race weekend a stress-free racecation.

    What makes runDisney events unique?

    In 2015, the Walt Disney World Marathon was given the number 7 spot in the largest marathons in the nationi. Disney races also took three spots in the top ten half marathons in the nationii. In the past few years, Disney hosted over 200,000 participants each year in their events.

    If you are even considering running a race at Disney, know that you’re one of many with a taste for a fun challenge. Around half of runDisney event participants are new runners experiencing their first race or have never participated in a runDisney event before. You are in great company as you get ready to tighten up your running shoes and experience Disney in a fun and unique way.

    If you have ever visited a Disney park, you know the excitement of meeting various Disney characters. Now imagine your excitement when you meet them while running a race. Disney continues to spread its magic by offering great character meet-and-greet opportunities along each course. You may even see a few rare characters that do not regularly appear at the theme parks.

    At runDisney events, the excitement goes beyond just the characters. Even celebrities participate in the runDisney excitement. Don’t be surprised to see some of your favorite TV personalities at a runDisney event, especially Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend.

    One thing that makes a runDisney event truly special is that there is something for everyone. From the longer distances or multi-day challenges for the adults, the 5K for every member of your family, to the kids’ races for the little ones, everyone will be able to participate in these amazing events. For those who would rather watch, there are many great opportunities to cheer on your runner. And where else can you end your race with a magical family vacation?

    How Will This Book Help?

    You can use this book to help select a race that is best for you, but there are so many more aspects of your racecation to consider. This book will discuss the many hotel options, including the proximity to the parks and race courses. Also discussed are the various ticket types and food options. Yes, even the restaurant descriptions are provided with a runner’s diet in mind. After all, you need to fuel your body properly the night before and have a great celebration meal after you’ve completed your race.

    It’s no secret that runners enjoy having friends and family along the course to support them through their race. Inside are tips for the spectators to make sure they are able to not only to watch you along the course, but also enjoy the entertainment of the race while they cheer you on.

    Let’s admit it, while at Disneyland, you’ll want to experience the parks, right? There is an entire section devoted to navigating the parks with ease, especially the day prior to your race. Those legs will want to be well rested before your big event.

    Perhaps you have run a small race in your hometown and you are ready to branch out to longer distances. This race could be your first or your fiftieth. What makes Disney different? Disney knows efficiency and how to entertain. From stepping off the plane to getting back to your resort after the race, all aspects of the event run like a well-oiled machine. With amazing volunteers, world-class entertainment, and great sponsors, Disney races are like no other. And don’t forget the medal! Disney is known for creating amazing medals for their events, something that keeps runners coming back for more.

    There are people of all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and genders that participate in these events. There are first-time runners, and there are veteran runners. There are those participating in their first runDisney event and those who keep coming back race after race. However, you are all there for the same reasons: to stay healthy and active, to have fun, and to smile as you run through a Disney park.

    What makes it even more special is that Disney celebrates every runner. Everyone who crosses the finish line is given the same amount of excitement and fanfare. You may be the first, the last, or somewhere in the middle, but you are encouraged and celebrated as you complete what you have trained to do.

    iRunning USA. (2016). Retrieved December 2016, from http://www.runningusa.org/marathon-report-2016?returnTo=main

    iiRunning USA. (2016). Retrieved December 2016, from http://www.runningusa.org/half-marathon-report-2016?returnTo=main

    Races have been occurring on Walt Disney World property since 1994. Formerly called the Disney Endurance Series, events included races like the original Walt Disney World Marathon and other races not produced by Disney.

    As the interest in running increased, Disney decided to change the name and begin to add to the race events. With the allure of running through the Disney theme parks and the unique medals, the draw for the events was undoubtedly increasing. In 2010, runDisney emerged and soon many more race weekends were added to the mix.

    RunDisney not only expanded their race portfolio, new race distances were also included. Series of events, including shorter distances, proved to be a big hit. To make it a truly family-friendly event, kids’ races were also included. As the race weekends continued to grow, themes emerged, including new franchises like Star Wars and Marvel, appealing to another new crowd of runners.

    runDisney Race History

    1994 – First Annual Walt Disney World Marathon

    1998 – Fifth Annual Walt Disney World Marathon includes Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in its 26.2-mile course for the first time. 13,000 runners ran up and back Victory Way between mile markers 19 and 20. This is the first year that a half-marathon event is also included.

    2003 – Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon celebrates its 10th annual event with a record 22,000 registered participants (16,000 in the full marathon), including 149 Perfect 10 Club runners who competed in their 10th Walt Disney World Marathon event.

    2004 – Inaugural Florida Half Ironman Triathlon at Walt Disney World Resort features a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike and a 13.1-mile run and serves as a qualifier for the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. A total of 1,970 athletes competed in the event.

    2005 – The Walt Disney World Triathlon occurs for the first time with approximately 1,000 competitors racing through a 1.5K swim, 40K bike ride, and a 10K run that starts at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and ends at Epcot.

    2006 – The Inaugural Disney’s Minnie Marathon Weekend kicks off an innovative new women’s sports initiative. More than 2,000 athletes participated in the Go Red for Women 5K, one mile fun run/walk, or the Women Run the World 15K.

    2006 – Disneyland Half Marathon marks the first endurance series on the west coast. More than 9,700 runners participated in the inaugural half marathon, an event affectionately dubbed The Happiest Race on Earth.

    2006 – More than 1,500 tri-athletes participated in the Walt Disney World Triathlon, making it the largest field in event history.

    2008 – The first annual Expedition Everest Challenge took place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The event was a nighttime 5K race that progressed into an obstacle course and a scavenger hunt for the runners as they made their way through the theme park.

    2009 – The inaugural Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend was held at Walt Disney World. More than 11,000 runners competed in various races throughout the weekend, making this event one of the largest endurance race weekends geared towards women.

    2009 – The final Tower of Terror 13K race was held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

    2010 – The new runDisney brand was announced, bringing together all four current Disney marathon and half marathon weekends to create a unique series of destination races that offer one-of-a-kind running experiences.

    2010 – A sold out field of runners (11,000) experienced the inaugural Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort. The half marathon was the first runDisney event held at night and the first to involve a relay option.

    2012 – The inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland Resort led runners on a 13.1-mile trek through the parks, as well as several city of Anaheim landmarks. Over 12,000 registered runners took part in this event.

    2012 – A record 27,000 athletes took part in a variety of Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend events, with a field of 19,000 for the half marathon event alone.

    2012 – The scarily popular Twilight Zone Tower of Terror themed runDisney race returned in the form of an inaugural 10-miler weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

    2014 – The 21st annual Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend became the first 5-day race weekend in runDisney history. This year featured the inaugural WDW 10K and the inaugural Dopey Challenge.

    2014 – More than 15,000 runners competed in the final Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler, which ran from Hollywood Studios to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and back.

    2014 – The inaugural Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend was held at Disneyland Resort. The weekend races included over 17,000 runners from 11 different countries.

    2015 – Castaway Cay 5K Challenge was added to the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, with over 700 runners taking part.

    2015 – More than 23,000 runners participated in the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend at Disneyland Resort.

    2016 – runDisney went international with the inaugural Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend. 50 nationalities were represented throughout the Kids’ Races, 5K, and half marathon events.

    2016 – The inaugural Wine & Dine 10K and Two Course Challenge was held at Walt Disney World Resort.

    Race Planning

    Ever wonder what goes into planning a runDisney race weekend? First, runDisney personnel begin to brainstorm ideas. In true Disney fashion, an intriguing story is always at the forefront. Whether it be a new franchise, a great movie, or even one of the favorite characters, a race weekend revolves around this story. And if enough guests speak up, one of your favorite extinct races may even make a reappearance!

    The next 18 months are devoted to making the race weekend’s story come to life. Discussions property-wide begin, primarily with Operations and the city of Anaheim. The main areas of discussion revolve around how the race weekend will impact the property. How will road closures affect traffic? Will guests not participating in the race be impacted? Will there be any construction in the parks? Once everything is addressed, a date can be made and the course planning can begin.

    When it comes to course design, there is much to consider. Along with road closures, overall distance (all distances are USTAF certified), construction, and the like, guest experience is also considered. Although course crowding does occur, runDisney does their best to make sure the course will accommodate the race field size. Another consideration is the amount of time the race will take (with the pace limit) to open up the roads and parks to all guests.

    From there, it’s a matter of preparing the property and cast members for the upcoming event! Thousands of people are involved in making sure the race weekend is a magical experience for all.

    In terms of recurring events, the planning time may not be as long, however it is still just as extensive. After each race weekend, the team meets to determine if any changes need to be made. If it is a big change, such as dates or location, the process is similar to putting together a new race. Otherwise, the runDisney crew looks at the logistics and guest experience to determine if any smaller changes, such as race capacity or slight course adjustments, need to be made.

    Registration for the races usually goes on sale 9 months before the race weekend. This not only allows for the runDisney team to prepare for the event, but also for the runners to properly train and make travel arrangements. From there, the planning continues including race day logistics, shirt and medal designs, expo planning and much more.

    Race Numbers

    While the number of race weekends and runners has definitely increased since 2010, the overall numbers for each weekend has remained quite consistent in the past year or two. This is primarily due to the fact that many races still sell out! runDisney consistently hosts over 200,000 runners in Walt Disney World alone.

    The Health &

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