WDW Daily News

MMJ Labs, LLC, industry leaders in non-invasive pain relief, will debut their newest product, VibraCool® Massaging Ice Therapy, at the runDisney Health and Fitness Expo in Orlando, FL.

VibraCool® is the wearable pain therapy device that provides simple, serious relief for IT Band pain, carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, and other painful overuse conditions and injuries. Expo attendees will have the opportunity to experience the instant pain therapy of VibraCool® at the booth throughout the event. Runners will be able to purchase the product for use on pre- and post-race aches and pains — and beyond. Product demonstrations, raffles and sales will take place in Booth 605 in the Stadium Exhibition area during expo hours from January 4-7, 2017.

Team members will be interacting with attendees to help them find the VibraCool® model that best fits their needs. The innovative pain relief product is offered in three configurations to treat areas where pain is common: Plantar Fasciitis/Neck/Shoulder, Wrist/Elbow, and Knee/Ankle.

VibraCool®’s Cool-Pulse™ technology is what makes it so effective for runners of all levels — from 5k first-timers to Dopey Challenge takers. One push of a button leverages the physiologic pain relievers of high frequency massage and ice in a product optimized for athletes and chronic joint pain sufferers. VibraCool®’s intense 20-minute frozen solid ice packs decrease inflammation, pain and swelling. Vibration massages muscles, mechanically loosening stiffness and improving blood flow. For post-workout aching, using VibraCool’s massaging alone before a workout can prevent delayed onset muscle soreness. The design also features a neoprene compression strap so VibraCool® can move with you during therapy or recovery.

Make the VibraCool booth your go-to stop at the Expo for pre-race muscle prep and post-race recovery. To learn more about VibraCool®, visit www.VibraCool.com, or the needle product line Buzzy® and DistrACTION® cards at www.buzzyhelps.com. Engage in conversations about pain relief with VibraCool on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

To say that Nick Arciniaga feels at home at runDisney races at Disneyland Resort is an understatement.

Arciniaga, who grew up in nearby Fountain Valley, Calif. but now lives in Arizona, came home again this weekend and won the Super Heroes Half Marathon on Sunday for his fourth runDisney half marathon victory at Disneyland Resort.

Wearing a full-length Spiderman costume as he ran, Arciniaga summoned his super hero strength to give the home crowd plenty to cheer about, blasting through the 13.1- mile course in record time. His winning time of 1:09:28 was nearly two minutes quicker than the race record (1:11:09) and was more than five minutes faster than second-place finisher Robert Coslick of Phoenix, AZ (1:14:40).

“I always used to come to Disneyland as a kid and I just love the area,’’ Arciniaga said. “This is an exciting course. There are people all over the streets – you have cheerleaders, you have people inside the parks, everybody is dressed up and there’s a lot of enthusiasm. It helps me pick up the pace and motivates me to run faster.’’

Arciniaga, 33, broke from the pack of nearly 10,000 runners from the start and ran alone for much of the race that went through Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure as well as the streets of Anaheim.

“I like to run these races by myself. I’m not really interested in making them close at all,’’ he said. “I just want to run away from the start. I feel that’s kind of my best strategy.’’

The Super Heroes Half Marathon win adds to Arciniaga’s wins at the 2014 Disneyland Half Marathon and the last two Star Wars Half Marathon – The Light Side races. The only runDisney race at Disneyland Resort that he hasn’t attempted to win is the women-focused Tinker Bell Half Marathon presented by PANDORA Jewelry held each May.

“I might have to run that one now,’’ he said with a chuckle. “I might have to find myself a nice little skirt to run it in, but yeah I probably will.’’

Lindsey Carter of Huntington Beach, Calif., was the first female finisher, crossing the line in 1:25:01. Brian Siemann of Savoy, Ill, took home top honors in the wheelchair division. Siemann, who competed in the Paralympics in Rio this summer, won with a time of 59:10 after also winning the Doctor Strange 10K wheelchair division the day before.

In addition to the half marathon and the 10K, the race weekend included a Captain America 5K, runDisney Kids Races and a Health and Fitness Expo. In all, more than 25,000 runners participated, including more than 13,000 from California.

Propelled by pixie dust, runners from Southern California and beyond will be running with their favorite girl at the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend presented by PANDORA Jewelry during Mother’s Day Weekend at Disneyland Resort.

Registration opens today for the race weekend in May 2017, which annually brings together women and more than 20,000 of their closest girlfriends. Runners from across the nation – including a strong contingency from Southern California – and 30-plus countries will spread their wings and fly for this women-focused event. It’s the quintessential way for women to get active while also celebrating everyone’s favorite girl: Mom.

In the Tinker Bell-inspired half marathon, 10K, 5K and Kids Races, moms and fellow runners will be treated to new finisher medals this year, designed to reflect the strength and determination of Tinker Bell.

The half marathon course, among the most popular runDisney events at Disneyland Resort, will once again wind through Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, as well as the surrounding city streets of Anaheim.

The Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend is one of two women-focused runDisney events that support women’s health, women’s empowerment and women just having fun. The other is the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Runners can register for any of the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend events, as well as other runDisney race weekends, at www.runDisney.com.

The 2016-2017 runDisney race season got up and running in September with a string of nine race weekends and events geared for runners of all ages and levels. In the U.S., each race weekend offers runDisney Kids’ Races, 5K, 10K, half marathon and a massive health & fitness expo, while Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend also features the full 26.2-mile marathon.

The runDisney series kicked off Labor Day weekend with the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna and concludes with the Tinker Bell Half Marathon presented by PANDORA jewelry in May. In all, more than 200,000 runners from around the world are expected to participate in runDisney events at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and, for the first time this season, Disneyland Paris.

Here’s a breakdown of all runDisney race weekends coming up this season:

Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna (Sept. 1-4): More than 32,200 runners participated in the various events during this 11th annual event. Many runners registered for more than one event, including more the than 6,000 runners for the 10K and the half marathon in the Dumbo Double Dare challenge.

Disneyland Paris – Val D’Europe Half Marathon Weekend (Sept. 23-25,): The much-anticipated debut of the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend comes this fall. Kick-off parties, uniquely designed medals and a course that takes runners through the Disneyland Paris Resort area and the Parisian countryside sets this inaugural international event apart from other runDisney races. This race weekend features the Disneyland Paris 5K and Disneyland Paris Half Marathon, as well as the Castle to Chateau Challenge for runners who complete the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon and a runDisney race in the U.S.

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend presented by MISFIT (Nov. 3-5): This culinary-themed race coincides with the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. For the first time, what used to be a nighttime race will now take place in the early morning hours. Participants will run through multiple theme parks and finish at Epcot, site of an exclusive after-hours post-race party. New this year are the Disney Wine & Dine 10K and Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge, for runners who do both the 10K and the half marathon.

Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend (Nov. 10-13): This 3rd annual race weekend includes a 5K that pays tribute to the 75th anniversary of Captain America, while the 10K gets its theme from the upcoming film, “Doctor Strange”, the latest installment in the Marvel film franchise. The Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon caps the weekend’s events. Runners can put their super powers to the test by participating in the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge – running the 10K and the half marathon. There’s also a pasta party during the weekend’s events, where guests can indulge in a buffet dinner and interact with their favorite Marvel super heroes.

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna (Jan. 4-8, 2017): This is runDisney’s signature event, which began in 1994 and features a marathon that takes runners along a magical 26.2-mile journey through Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Known as one of the top family-destination races, this race weekend attracts more than 55,000 runners and their guests. Participants who didn’t get enough action during the race weekend can run from the parks to paradise by participating in the Disney Castaway Cay Challenge. The Monday after the marathon takes place, guests can sail on the Disney Dream and run a 5K on Disney’s private island in the Bahamas.

 Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend – The Light Side (Jan. 12-15, 2017): One of two Star Wars-themed races in the runDisney series, this race weekend at Disneyland Resort is one of the most popular runDisney events of the season. Runners can meet and pose for pictures with their favorite Star Wars heroes as well a variety of races including the Rebel Challenge – tackling the 10K and the half marathon.

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (Feb. 23-26, 2017): With more than 26,000 runners participating throughout the weekend, this is 8th annual event one of the largest women-specific endurance events in the country. The fiercest princesses of them all can sign up for the Disney Glass Slipper Challenge, which involves running the 10K and the half marathon.

Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side (April 20-23, 2017): This race weekend is the newest at Walt Disney World, taking place for the first time last April. Before the race, runners have the opportunity to interact with their favorite Star Wars characters from the dark side of the force. The toughest runners can participate in the Dark Side Challenge by doing the 10K and half marathon on back-to-back days.

Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend presented by PANDORA jewelry (May 11-14, 2017): This 6th annual race coincides with Mother’s Day weekend and is Disneyland Resort’s women-specific endurance event. Runners can earn their “wings” across the weekend’s events, and those with a little more faith and trust can do the Pixie Dust Challenge – “flying” through the 10K and half marathon.

Some of the most special features of a runDisney event are the highly coveted medals for each race. In addition to the event-specific medals, runners also have the opportunity to earn a special Coast to Coast Challenge medal, given to those who complete a half marathon at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World resort in the same calendar year. Runners who specifically do the Disney Princess Half Marathon and Tinker Bell Half Marathon will receive a special pink edition of the Coast to Coast Challenge medal. And if the force is with them, runners who participate in both Star Wars-themed half marathons will earn the Kessel Run Challenge medal.

For more information on runDisney events, visit runDisney.com.

The 2016-2017 runDisney race season gets up and running in September with a string of nine race weekends and events geared for runners of all ages and levels. In the U.S., each race weekend offers runDisney Kids’ Races, 5K, 10K, half marathon and a massive health & fitness expo, while Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend also features the full 26.2-mile marathon.

The runDisney series kicks off Labor Day weekend with the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna and concludes with the Tinker Bell Half Marathon presented by PANDORA jewelry in May. In all, more than 200,000 runners from around the world are expected to participate in runDisney events at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and, for the first time this season, Disneyland Paris.

Here’s a breakdown of all runDisney race weekends coming up this season:

Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna (Sept. 1-4): More than 32,200 runners are expected to participate in the various events during this 11th annual event. Many runners will participate in more than one event, including more the than 6,000 runners doubling their running fun during the 10K and the half marathon in the Dumbo Double Dare challenge.

Disneyland Paris – Val D’Europe Half Marathon Weekend (Sept. 23-25,): The much-anticipated debut of the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend comes this fall. Kick-off parties, uniquely designed medals and a course that takes runners through the Disneyland Paris Resort area and the Parisian countryside sets this inaugural international event apart from other runDisney races. This race weekend features the Disneyland Paris 5K and Disneyland Paris Half Marathon, as well as the Castle to Chateau Challenge for runners who complete the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon and a runDisney race in the U.S.

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend presented by MISFIT (Nov. 3-5): This culinary-themed race coincides with the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. For the first time, what used to be a nighttime race will now take place in the early morning hours. Participants will run through multiple theme parks and finish at Epcot, site of an exclusive after-hours post-race party. New this year are the Disney Wine & Dine 10K and Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge, for runners who do both the 10K and the half marathon.

Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend (Nov. 10-13): This 3rd annual race weekend includes a 5K that pays tribute to the 75th anniversary of Captain America, while the 10K gets its theme from the upcoming film, “Doctor Strange”, the latest installment in the Marvel film franchise. The Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon caps the weekend’s events. Runners can put their super powers to the test by participating in the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge – running the 10K and the half marathon. There’s also a pasta party during the weekend’s events, where guests can indulge in a buffet dinner and interact with their favorite Marvel super heroes.

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna (Jan. 4-8, 2017): This is runDisney’s signature event, which began in 1994 and features a marathon that takes runners along a magical 26.2-mile journey through Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Known as one of the top family-destination races, this race weekend attracts more than 55,000 runners and their guests. Participants who didn’t get enough action during the race weekend can run from the parks to paradise by participating in the Disney Castaway Cay Challenge. The Monday after the marathon takes place, guests can sail on the Disney Dream and run a 5K on Disney’s private island in the Bahamas.

 Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend – The Light Side (Jan. 12-15, 2017): One of two Star Wars-themed races in the runDisney series, this race weekend at Disneyland Resort is one of the most popular runDisney events of the season. Runners can meet and pose for pictures with their favorite Star Wars heroes as well a variety of races including the Rebel Challenge – tackling the 10K and the half marathon.

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (Feb. 23-26, 2017): With more than 26,000 runners participating throughout the weekend, this is 8th annual event one of the largest women-specific endurance events in the country. The fiercest princesses of them all can sign up for the Disney Glass Slipper Challenge, which involves running the 10K and the half marathon.

Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side (April 20-23, 2017): This race weekend is the newest at Walt Disney World, taking place for the first time last April. Before the race, runners have the opportunity to interact with their favorite Star Wars characters from the dark side of the force. The toughest runners can participate in the Dark Side Challenge by doing the 10K and half marathon on back-to-back days.

Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend presented by PANDORA jewelry (May 11-14, 2017): This 6th annual race coincides with Mother’s Day weekend and is Disneyland Resort’s women-specific endurance event. Runners can earn their “wings” across the weekend’s events, and those with a little more faith and trust can do the Pixie Dust Challenge – “flying” through the 10K and half marathon.

Some of the most special features of a runDisney event are the highly coveted medals for each race. In addition to the event-specific medals, runners also have the opportunity to earn a special Coast to Coast Challenge medal, given to those who complete a half marathon at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World resort in the same calendar year. Runners who specifically do the Disney Princess Half Marathon and Tinker Bell Half Marathon will receive a special pink edition of the Coast to Coast Challenge medal. And if the force is with them, runners who participate in both Star Wars-themed half marathons will earn the Kessel Run Challenge medal.

For more information on runDisney events, visit runDisney.com.

 

With the inaugural Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend only a couple of months away, runDisney is giving runners their first look at the medals for the race, Sept. 23-25, at Disneyland Paris. And like all runDisney races, the hardware earned in Paris will come with lots of bling, which is fitting given this is runDisney’s first international race weekend.

Here’s a breakdown of the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend medals:

The runDisney Kids Races’ medal:

Mickey Mouse dashes across this full-color medal, given to the weekend’s youngest runners. Little ones who participate in runDisney kids races will take home this special prize.

The Disneyland Paris 5K medal:

No runDisney race weekend at Disneyland Paris would be complete without including Chef Rémy, star of the Academy Award-winning film, “Ratatouille.” Paris’ biggest little chef appears in color on this medal. And what better place to show off this medal after the race than at the popular La Place de Rémy attraction in Walt Disney Studios Park.

The Disneyland Paris Half Marathon medal:

The gold half marathon medal features Mickey Mouse racing around Sleeping Beauty Castle and is accented with a fleur de lys at the bottom.

The Castle to Château challenge medal:

This unique medal is dedicated to Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend runners who have also participated in a runDisney race in the United States, either at Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. This gold medal features Sleeping Beauty Castle as well as the U.S. and French flags.

Runners who just have to get their hands on any of these beautiful medals can still register for the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend here: http://run.disneylandparis.com.

Follow runDisney on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram and click here for more information more about the event.

Book a Magic Your Way® Package for Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend, Feb. 23-26, 2017. And, once you’ve registered for one or more of the weekend’s events, our Clients can use their Magic Your Way Package to enjoy the rest of their vacation at the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Contact Travel Agents, Scott and Becky Donahue, of Wish Upon a Star With Us to plan and book your vacation.

Race registrations for the 2017 Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend events listed below can be included with Vacation Packages.

Disney’s Princess Half Marathon – Here’s the run that’s fit for a Princess – a 13.1 mile magical course.

Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017

Disney Princess Enchanted 10K – This event will take your Clients on an enchanted journey throughout Epcot® before having a magical finish fit for a princess, or prince.

Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017

Glass Slipper Challenge – A 19.3-mile adventure held over two days, participants will run the Disney Enchanted 10K on Saturday, followed by the Disney Princess Half Marathon on Sunday.

Saturday, Feb. 25 and Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017

Disney Princess 5K – A royal opportunity to share the magic as a family.

Friday, Feb. 24, 2017

runDisney Kids Races – Every Prince & Princess is a winner during the runDisney Kids Races!

Friday, Feb. 24-25, 2017

Contact Travel Agents, Scott and Becky Donahue, of Wish Upon a Star With Us to plan and book your vacation.

It’s the most magical race on earth! The Walt Disney World® Marathon adventure is unlike anything else.

Contact Travel Agents, Scott and Becky Donahue, of Wish Upon a Star With Us to plan and book your vacation.

A Magic Your Way Package allows our Clients to enjoy Disney fun for the whole family throughout the race weekend. They pick their favorite Disney Resort hotel and the number of days for their Theme Park ticket. And, they can even choose to include a Disney Dining Plan in their package.

Plus, when our Clients stay at a Disney Resort hotel they’ll enjoy special benefits, including complimentary MagicBands and early access to Disney FastPass+ planning up to 60 days before they arrive!

Walt Disney World Marathon – A run through the most magical 26.2 miles on Earth

Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017

Walt Disney World Half Marathon – A thrilling 13.1 run through Magic Kingdom® Park and Epcot®

Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017

Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge – Two days, four parks, 39.3 miles of fun

Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017 and Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017

Walt Disney World 10K – The newest Marathon Weekend event

Friday, Jan. 6, 2017

Disney Family Fun Run 5K – Fun for the whole family

Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017

Dopey Challenge – Four days of fun for a total of 48.6 miles

Thursday, Jan 5 – Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017

Approximately 19,000 runners from Florida are expected to among the more than 43,000 runners participating in a weekend of races that are part of the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side, making it the largest-ever runDisney half marathon weekend. It’s the first new runDisney race to debut at Walt Disney World Resort since 2009. Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side events begin Friday, April 15 and conclude Sunday, April 17 with the half marathon.  All races start at Epcot, with the 10K and half marathon finishing at ESPN Wide World of Sports for the first time in runDisney history.

With more than 40,000 runners participating in the weekend’s activities, numerous human interest story opportunities will be available, including Alexis Buford, 30 and her husband, Justin, 32, who have spent the past year fighting for her husband’s life. He suffers from congestive heart failure and End Stage Renal Failure.  He’s currently on dialysis and in need of a kidney transplant. Originally from Orlando, the couple moved to North Carolina to be closer to his doctors. When her husband was first diagnosed, she herself weighed 300 pounds, which made her ineligible to be tested to donate a kidney. Alex has used the half marathon as motivation to lose weight to be tested. She has lost 102 pounds to date and is now eligible to be tested as a donor. Less than two weeks after running the Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side, Alex will be tested.

Additionally, Gerald Reznick, an Orlando resident and former news reporter, saw his life change dramatically 10 years ago when he became legally blind after a two-year struggle with Stargardt Disease (an inherited degenerative eye condition). His blindness ended his 15-year news career, as well as took away his ability to read printed material, drive and see the faces of his loved ones. For most of the last 10 years, he was homebound due to the difficulty of navigating life without sight.  In January 2015, a cousin introduced Gerald to the Walt Disney World Half Marathon. He signed up for the 2016 Walt Disney World Half Marathon, and two minutes into the race, he lost the friends he was running with who were acting as guides. He finished the race anyway in two and a half hours! Now running the Star Wars Dark Side Challenge, Gerald says participating in runDisney races has given him the courage to step outside his front door on his own.

Race day information is below:

Star Wars -The Dark Side 5K, Friday, 6 a.m. (Start and finish at Epcot)

Star Wars -The Dark Side 10K, Saturday, 5:30 a.m. (Start-Epcot, finish-ESPN Wide World of Sports)

Star Wars Half Marathon-The Dark Side, Sunday, 5 a.m. (Start-Epcot, finish-ESPN Wide World of Sports)