Less than a week?!?
Gulp. Just one week into the New Year, I’ll be flying down to Orlando; inevitably it’s because of a runDisney event. It’s for “Marathon Weekend” which has now morphed into a nearly week long series of events. These events include: a 5K fun run, a 10K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon, post-race character breakfasts, race retreats, Pasta in the Park parties, a celebration at Downtown Disney and of course as with all runDisney events, a Health and Wellness Expo. In addition to the four separate races, runDisney is offering two challenges: the Goofy Challenge (Half Marathon and Full Marathon—39.3 miles) and the Dopey Challenge (all four races—48.6 miles). Marathon Weekend is the hallmark of runDisney events. While they strive to make every event great, Marathon Weekend is where it all got started and draws the most attention.
One testament to how popular Marathon Weekend is, arguably one of the running community’s largest presences, Runner’s World partners with runDisney to offer special packages that provide extras beyond what runDisney regularly offers.
This year, I have been fortunate enough to partner with Travel On A Dream to participate in the Runner’s World Dopey Challenge. Entry into the Runner’s World Challenge has included:
•Registration into the Dopey Challenge
-Bibs for the 5K Fun Run, Minnie 10K, Donald Half Marathon & Mickey Full Marathon
-Race shirts for all four races as well as the Goofy Challenge and Dopey Challenge
-A rubberized medallion for the 5K and five medals for the three races and two challenges (pending completion of each race)
•“Preferred” corral placement for each of the four races–a two corral bump up, no longer an automatic placement in corral B
•Race retreat for the Half and Full Marathon
-Pre-race: hot and cold beverages, fruit and bagels, dedicated stretching area private port-a-johns, and separate bag check
-Post-race: nutritious buffet, massage, private port-a-johns, bag pick-up and live results
-Entrance into the WDW Marathon Weekend breakfast following the 5K & 10K races
•Special escorted walk-out from retreat area to starting line
•A ticket to Pasta in the Park (character buffet dinner in the Millennium Pavilion at Epcot, with a DJ and a special viewing area for Illuminations: Reflections of Earth)
•A 16 week training plan designed by Runner’s World experts
•Weekly emails from famed runner and coach Burt Yasso
•Twelve months of access to Runner’s World experts about fitness, nutrition, training and injury prevention
•A private internet forum to interact with fellow Runner’s World Challenge participants
•A copy of “Runner’s World: Complete Book of Running”
•A Runner’s World tech shirt
•Four months of premium Runner’s World Personal Trainer
•Private packet pick up at the ESPN Wide World of Sports during the Health and Wellness Expo
•VIP access to the post-race celebration at Downtown Disney
So far, I have seen quite a benefit from being a part of the Runner’s World Challenge group—and most of the benefits of the package are not tangible until being there. I cannot wait to be able to experience the extra perks; specifically the race retreats and delayed walk out, just in case its frigid this year.
Look for updates on Twitter, Facebook and here on the blog over Marathon Weekend to follow my journey to prove just how Dopey I am.
Are you going to be at Marathon Weekend, racing, spectating or just visiting? Let me know and we can meet up. Photo ops are always welcome!
You can follow Todd on Twitter @ToddC4 and follow his race at #irun4ToaD. Good luck Todd!
