RunDisney Continues to Grow With the New Race Weekends and Challenges by Kate Melody

The popularity of runDisney events seems to have hit an all time high this year, and runDisney is answering the call with the addition of several new events. Earlier this year came the announcements of both the Avengers Half Marathon Weekend, and the Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend, both at the Disneyland Resort.

New Picture (1)The popular Tinkerbell Half Marathon, which had been in January, has been moved to Mother’s Day Weekend in May. This should allow more ladies to participate in both of the runDisney women’s focused events, the Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World, and the Tinkerbell Half Marathon at Disneyland. Some runners felt that having the Tinkerbell in January and the Princess in February, did not allow enough time for recovery. Those that complete both women’s focused events in one calendar year receive a special pink edition Coast to Coast Medal. Moving the Tinkerbell Half to May should mean more ladies have the chance to earn that coveted pink bling.

Also growing in popularity is the runDisney “Challenge”. The Goofy Challenge, which premiered in 2006 involves running both a half marathon and a full marathon on back to back days. While a noble goal, the Goofy is a bit intense for more casual runners. Disney has responded with the smaller challenges, which began with the Inaugural Glass Slipper Challenge during Princess Half Marathon Weekend in 2014. By completing a 10K on Saturday and a half marathon on Sunday, runners are awarded a medal for each individual race, plus an additional medal for completing both events. The new Star Wars race weekend includes the Rebel Challenge, and just last week runDisney announced that Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend would have its own, the Pixie Dust Challenge!

This spring I participated in the Princess Half Marathon. While neither speedy nor overly athletic, the allure of running through Cinderella Castle in a princess costume got me off the couch and on the treadmill! Somehow, I actually crossed the finish line upright. We’ve decided to return for this year’s Princess Half Marathon, and since I have a competitive spirit I decided to present myself with a new goal, the Glass Slipper Challenge. Once I decided I could actually do both a 10K and a half marathon on the same weekend, I decided to up it one more notch and go for a pink Coast to Coast medal by doing the Tinkerbell Half. My mom walked the Princess Half last year and is going to join me for both half marathons. While we will have the entire family for our February Princess Half trip, we will celebrate Mother’s Day on a mother-daughter only vacation to run (and walk) the Tinkerbell Half. When runDisney announced the new Pixie Dust Challenge two weeks ago, I’m sure you can guess what happened, “Go big or go home”, right?

While Princess Half Marathon Weekend is sold out, as of Friday August 15th there were still spots left for both the Pixie Dust Challenge and the Tinkerbell Half Marathon. I suspect the timing of the race being on Mother’s Day has deterred a few runners who might want to spend the weekend with their family. It’s good to know that when runDisney races do sell out, spots are usually still available through travel agencies if you purchase a travel package, or through charities. You can race like a Princess while raising money for worthy causes.

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I plan to keep our readers updated as the events get closer, and with a race recap afterward. I’m hoping to get in better shape, and maybe my waistline will get as thin as my wallet after those runDisney race fees! If you have ever considered doing a runDisney event I encourage you to sign up and experience the only races where, “Every Mile is Magic!”

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