Official Castaway Cay 5K Thread

[DenverVal]

That would be a question to ask Guest Services. I would suggest that you test your ability to walk that distance close to home rather than in a foreign country.

 

[dnardi710]

Going on my first Disney Cruise in a few weeks and I plan on doing the 5k, I was told by a friend that if you do the 5k you'll get to the beach a little later and will miss out on the "best" beach chairs.

It's just my husband and I and we were planning on going to the adult beach, my husband would rather skip the 5k than miss out on good beach seats - I'd love thoughts from anyone with experience doing the 5k and then heading to the beach!

 

[carissa1970]

Going on my first Disney Cruise in a few weeks and I plan on doing the 5k, I was told by a friend that if you do the 5k you'll get to the beach a little later and will miss out on the "best" beach chairs. It's just my husband and I and we were planning on going to the adult beach, my husband would rather skip the 5k than miss out on good beach seats - I'd love thoughts from anyone with experience doing the 5k and then heading to the beach!

I don't know, when we were there, there didn't seem to be any bad beach chairs. They all seemed close to the water, just a little crowded.

 

[DenverVal]

We did the run, went back to the ship and showered and changed, took the tram to serenity beach, had lunch, got a drink from the bar and still found a chaise under an umbrella. And then we grabbed a few chairs and sat in the water instead.

 

[2mommies]

What time does the 5K normally start.....I saw people talking about getting off the boat early...is that earlier then people who are not doing the run can get off?

 

[lovely1m]

My son and I are planning to do this. We are very excited. It's our second 5k together.

He's only 7, but can run the entire thing (he has before). Even if I can't officially sign him up, he can still go with me, right? He can have my medal and be happy.

 

[5xdisneyfans]

I was wondering when, where and how you register for the 5K? Thanks

 

[TitanBrett]

My son and I are planning to do this. We are very excited. It's our second 5k together. He's only 7, but can run the entire thing (he has before). Even if I can't officially sign him up, he can still go with me, right? He can have my medal and be happy.

They will give you a hard time but the reality is they aren't going to stop him, no medal or bib though.

 

[Metsoskil]

Just a heads-up: On our early December cruise I brought my 10 year old with me to run (she had been running for months training - was to be her first 5K). They are no longer allowing any children under the age of 12 to accompany their parents for any reason on the Castaway Cay 5K. If your children are with you, you are able to drop them at the kids club on the island en route to the 5K start, but they will not be allowed on the course with you.

I was told this was a permanent policy change and was done for liability reasons.

 

[dnardi710]

Great, thank you!

 

[disneygirl319]

My DH and DS (age 12) just ran the Castaway Cay 5K while there on our recent Disney Dream sailing (1/16/14 sailing date). Here is how the whole thing worked:

-Signed up at Guest Services (supposedly you could sign up at Port Excursions too but they have the bib numbers AND excursion 'ticket' at Guests Services so I don't know if they split it between the two locations).

-Currently it is capped at 200 (yes, 200) runners. This may change in the near future (going to post separately about very good 'rumors' that my DH heard).

-The excursion ticket indicated to meet at Evolutions (The District bar area) at 8:15am to get off the ship at 8:30am. General disembarkation for passengers is at 8:30am. They are supposed to be the first off the ship but they were leaving the ship as everyone else was coming off (though the runners left via the 'aft' vice midship). The aft is actually closer to the island as the ships backs in.

-Runners walked all the way from the ship to the starting point (which is right near the Pelican Point tram stop and the She Sells Sea Shells store).

-There was an area (oversize 'storage box') to leave your items while you are running. There was a CM standing in/near the area the entire time waiting for runners to finish and hand them their medals.

-There is a clock with the time on it that is facing towards the runners when they start and is turned around so runners can see it when they finish.

-The medal is awarded (plastic with DISNEY CRUISE LINE on it, Mickey Ears design) at the end where you finish. The medal does not say Castaway Cay or Castaway Cay 5k.

-The 5k shirts that you can buy (separately) can be purchased at the store right next to when you finish. They also have a hat and a pin.

-You are right next to one of the beach entrance areas when you finish so you can technically just go right to the beach and find some beach chairs. Whether or not you find beach chairs right AT the water all depends on the number of passengers that already got off and how quickly you finish!

-OFFICIALLY*, while you cannot officially sign up any child under the age of 12, I DID see children running the 5k with their parents (at least towards the finish line). They didn't receive bibs and of course didn't receive a medal. So, UNofficially, if your child (under age 12) gets off the ship and just happens to start running (even if they don't START with you) and finish with you, there really isn't anything they can do. Again, no bib or runners medal. My DH said that he did not see any child starting the 5k so they obviously caught up with them along the way. ==>I am NOT endorsing or encouraging this, I am just stating what I saw.<==

*When I say officially, I mean they even require you to show a Photo ID for the excursion check in so there is no way to register your DH and have your DS show up instead and run in his place.

I will be posting RUMORS of possible changes coming up in another post!

 

[Linden Lady]

Oooooo. I love "rumors". ;-)

 

[disneygirl319]

Ok, this came directly from the CM that runs/organizes the 5k (my DH was talking with her during our CC time, Disney Dream sailing 1/16/14). So whether or not DCL actually goes through with this obviously remains to be seen.

Alittle background info first. According to the CM the 5k used to average less then 40 runners, now it averages around 120-130. The current limit is actually 200 (believe it or not). Somewhere around March of last year (2013) it started to become a lot more popular. Personally I don't know why and DH didn't specifically ask. So as it has become more popular things need to change to keep up with the demand.

Here is the main rumor:
-This will no longer be a free excursion. It will be a ticketed excursion with a cost (estimated to be $25). However, this will include the Castaway Cay 5K tshirt (and medal...which would also say Castaway Cay 5k).

To me, it would be worth it as the tshirt would be included. I, personally, would like to see them either start the race earlier or at least block off the bike route to allow the runners full and unobstructed access to the 5k route (for an hour). Currently, bikers and walkers can walk along the same path as the runners and can, and DO, get in each others way. I saw it myself the few minutes I was waiting for my DH and DS to finish. A mom and her two younger sons had just rented bikes and were just starting out from the bike rental location (which is right next to the end of the 5k!) and were paying more attention to trying to start riding their bikes than the path and almost collided with some runners that were picking up speed as they approached the finish line.

Anyway, again, just a RUMOR and who know if/when that will happen.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

Ok, this came directly from the CM that runs/organizes the 5k (my DH was talking with her during our CC time, Disney Dream sailing 1/16/14). So whether or not DCL actually goes through with this obviously remains to be seen.

Alittle background info first. According to the CM the 5k used to average less then 40 runners, now it averages around 120-130. The current limit is actually 200 (believe it or not). Somewhere around March of last year (2013) it started to become a lot more popular. Personally I don't know why and DH didn't specifically ask. So as it has become more popular things need to change to keep up with the demand.

Here is the main rumor:
-This will no longer be a free excursion. It will be a ticketed excursion with a cost (estimated to be $25). However, this will include the Castaway Cay 5K tshirt (and medal...which would also say Castaway Cay 5k).

To me, it would be worth it as the tshirt would be included. I, personally, would like to see them either start the race earlier or at least block off the bike route to allow the runners full and unobstructed access to the 5k route (for an hour). Currently, bikers and walkers can walk along the same path as the runners and can, and DO, get in each others way. I saw it myself the few minutes I was waiting for my DH and DS to finish. A mom and her two younger sons had just rented bikes and were just starting out from the bike rental location (which is right next to the end of the 5k!) and were paying more attention to trying to start riding their bikes than the path and almost collided with some runners that were picking up speed as they approached the finish line.

Anyway, again, just a RUMOR and who know if/when that will happen.

When do sign ups happen for the 5k? Embarkation day, or CC morning? I need to make sure that I get in on Sunday

I do like the idea of paying $25 and getting a shirt, medallion, and bib.

 

[ksloane]

Everyone keep us posted if they start seeing any signs of the rumors. I'd pay $25 if it included the shirt and a "real" medal.

 

[su_A_ve]

Everyone keep us posted if they start seeing any signs of the rumors. I'd pay $25 if it included the shirt and a "real" medal.

The CC5K has been growing from a ship's activity to a port adventure. CMs at the ships would print out certificates to give to the runners (gone). They used to take a group picture with a character (gone). They took out the medal at one point but was brought back.

Run Disney now sponsors it (new bibs, new shirts). The medals are still generic medals that are being given by DCL at many activities.

It's becoming more and more popular. And bean counters take notice, hence the rumors of it becoming a paid activity.

 

[su_A_ve]

-OFFICIALLY*, while you cannot officially sign up any child under the age of 12, I DID see children running the 5k with their parents (at least towards the finish line). They didn't receive bibs and of course didn't receive a medal. So, UNofficially, if your child (under age 12) gets off the ship and just happens to start running (even if they don't START with you) and finish with you, there really isn't anything they can do. Again, no bib or runners medal. My DH said that he did not see any child starting the 5k so they obviously caught up with them along the way. ==>I am NOT endorsing or encouraging this, I am just stating what I saw.<==

*When I say officially, I mean they even require you to show a Photo ID for the excursion check in so there is no way to register your DH and have your DS show up instead and run in his place.

I will be posting RUMORS of possible changes coming up in another post!

On the Magic about a month ago - Officially, under 12 cannot register nor run. Some CMs do enforce this. In our case, they told the parents they were running on their own risk and would not get medals nor bibs. There were a few folks that showed up that morning - they were not aware that you had to sign up ahead of time. They were allowed to run but did not receive bibs nor medals as they only had the exact amount based on those that had signed up.

In the end, a few people did not show up, so they had the extra medals and gave them to those who ran it on their own.

 

[ksloane]

I think I read this earlier...but too lazy to go back and read this morning.

I know under 12 can't run it (at least officially)...but can you push a jogging stroller? And how difficult would that be considering the terrain? My grandson will be 2 so too young for kids club but we'd love to all do it.

 

[mlandon]

I too am okay with the 5k becoming a paid adventure. It might keep the number of runners down slightly and if it's true that a t-shirt, bib, and custom medal is included, it sounds like a pretty good value too!

 

[Dug720]

I too am okay with the 5k becoming a paid adventure. It might keep the number of runners down slightly and if it's true that a t-shirt, bib, and custom medal is included, it sounds like a pretty good value too!

Wow. How many ran it when you did? I ran it mid-July off the Dream and I would say *maybe* 100 people ran it. It was by far the smallest race I've ever done, so I'm curious what numbers you have experienced.