Running in Style

MightyDuck001

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Oct 28, 2009
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I have no idea if this is where this would go but I wanted to know about costumes for running. I'm getting ready for the superhero half marathon in May (my first, so I'll need to channel superhero strength), I'm doing the wine and dine in November and the Donald half in January, and let's be honest--dressing up is really exciting. Does anyone have suggestions/tips/photos of costumes that are functional and still fashionable? Disney runners appear to dress the best...
 
I would suggestion going on the rundisney web site and see if you can see pictures from past runs. Or go on Bright Photo's web site and search for Disney races - Tinkerbell, Princess or Disneyland 1/2 marathon.
I wore a pink tutu for my first 2 Disney races. This year, I wore a purple Sparkle Skirts skirt. Loved it.
You can see my Tinkerbell outfit in my signature.
Dressing up is really fun! :banana:
 
A couple of past events:
Star Wars
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Peter Pan and Tink:
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Since you mention superheroes, I ran as Batgirl in this year's princess half. I kept it really simple with running capris, a yellow sparkle skirt, and a Batman t-shirt (which I actually got at hot topic, or one of those random stores like that). I originally wanted a cape and the arm accessories, but when I started to think about what it'd be like to actually run like that, I realized it would be best to just be simple. So, when thinking about your costumes, remember at the base you need to have good running clothes (I have seen many girls in the princess halves who shed just about everything because they realize just because it's a cute costume doesn't mean it's good for running 13.1 miles). Then add everything else on top. And I ended up really liking my Batgirl outfit :)

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Just to give you an idea!!
 
Another thing too - I really wanted a mask but that idea was quickly curtailed when I saw the race rules said no masks. I thought about painting one on, but realized that would all melt away while running too! Just keep that in mind, your race might not allow them (or, since it's specifically super hero-themed, maybe they will).
 
Since you mention superheroes, I ran as Batgirl in this year's princess half. I kept it really simple with running capris, a yellow sparkle skirt, and a Batman t-shirt (which I actually got at hot topic, or one of those random stores like that). I originally wanted a cape and the arm accessories, but when I started to think about what it'd be like to actually run like that, I realized it would be best to just be simple. So, when thinking about your costumes, remember at the base you need to have good running clothes (I have seen many girls in the princess halves who shed just about everything because they realize just because it's a cute costume doesn't mean it's good for running 13.1 miles). Then add everything else on top. And I ended up really liking my Batgirl outfit :)

Just to give you an idea!!
I love that costume! I'm definitely worried about comfort--so I guess a big part of this question is what works well and what doesn't. I've seen a lot of costumes but am sometimes unsure of how to recreate one--there was one guy dressed as grapes for the wine & dine!--or if it's totally functional.

I do love the Star Wars costumes, too...
 
Team sparkle has a whole section on their blog about cosutmes. Of course they are centered around their gear, but you can get some good ideas looking at their pictures.

:thumbsup2

They actually have a superhero section with wonder woman themed tanks etc. Are you running the Super hero half in New Jersey? I am also running that race, as well as the Wine and Dine in November and trying to figure out the Goofy for January!!! :) I'm slightly addicted. My mother pronounces it "CRAZY". :cool1:
 
I'm also trying to think of what to do for Goofy, and I figured on Saturday I'd dress like Donald (orange compression socks, white skirt, blue top with a bow, maybe his cute little hat) and on Sunday I'd dress how Goofy would if he wore skirts. Sounds a little lame, but I'm TOTALLY in for the costume thing.

I always thought tutus were a great idea until I saw a bunch of women in tutus who finished their race with the tutu up around their armpit and lots of arm chafing... THAT doesn't look like fun. But I'd still consider one for a short race, or maybe under something else that would hold it down by my waist.
 
I always thought tutus were a great idea until I saw a bunch of women in tutus who finished their race with the tutu up around their armpit and lots of arm chafing... THAT doesn't look like fun. But I'd still consider one for a short race, or maybe under something else that would hold it down by my waist.

I think tutus make great costumes. If you get one that fits, it doesn't move at all during the race. You never even know it's there. Plus, the scratchy material makes a great buffer zone in the corrals.

IMG_0013.JPG.jpg
 
:thumbsup2

They actually have a superhero section with wonder woman themed tanks etc. Are you running the Super hero half in New Jersey? I am also running that race, as well as the Wine and Dine in November and trying to figure out the Goofy for January!!! :) I'm slightly addicted. My mother pronounces it "CRAZY". :cool1:

That's so funny-- I'm doing the Superhero in NJ and wine and dine! I signed up for the full in January. My mother thinks I'm insane, she just shakes her head and says, "you're nuts." If you see someone dressed up like Sailor Moon at the superhero (sailor outfit with big red bows assuming my sewing skills hold up) bringing up the rear say hi! I'm just hoping to finish in one piece and get a medal.

I think Goofy would be great, though, especially since he can be really functional.

I was a little concerned about the scratchy material on tutus and the dreaded chafing. I was thinking for the full I'd dress up as Donald, just because I love a good sailor collar (they're really easy to make and sew onto just about any shirt, you can even make the back flap into a pocket for your phone, and there's plenty of tutorials thanks to the people who attend Comicon).
 
I think tutus make great costumes. If you get one that fits, it doesn't move at all during the race. You never even know it's there. Plus, the scratchy material makes a great buffer zone in the corrals.

IMG_0013.JPG.jpg

I love the blue hair! It goes really well with the tiara...
 
I've found that Under Armour long sleeve "heat gear" shirts are awesome base layers. For the Princess, I did an improvised Mary Poppins using a white UA shirt and sewed a red corset together. As long as your accessories don't touch your skin and sit on top of the base layer, you should be fine! I didn't have any problems and my costume stayed together. I also didn't overheat and felt very comfortable when it started raining.

I'm running the Preakness 5k next weekend and my friend and I are dressing as jockeys. I love races that have great costume ideas!
 
I think tutus make great costumes. If you get one that fits, it doesn't move at all during the race. You never even know it's there. Plus, the scratchy material makes a great buffer zone in the corrals.

IMG_0013.JPG.jpg

I LOVE IT.

Hmm... I may have to get one and take it for a test run on some longer training runs.
 
I did a Superhero race around Halloween time. I wore black compression under armor top and shorts with a spiderwoman costume over it. It came with black gloves and black boots to put over your shoes and I bought fake spiders for my hair. Every St Patrick's day I run the same 5k and I wear my silver sparkle skirt(I love them!) and loads of green... green hair ribbon, shamrock stickers, green mardi gras beads, this year I added shamrock suspenders to it. I got so may shout outs from spectators on my skirt. My cousin and I ran all three of the original tower of terror races in shirts I designed based on the ride. Last year Id planned to wear my sparkle skirt for the Princess and I got down to Disney and saw they had tutus on sale in the kids section. I found out I fit in them and that's what I ran in. Over my compression shorts the tutu didn't budge and I had fun wearing it.

I'm running a mud race this weekend in a tutu and I have 80s style leg warmers I'm wearing. (My boyfriend is wearing an old suit that doesn't fit any more.) I think there's tons of ways to have fun with the theme of the race. At the ToT races I've seen people like me in shirts they designed to people who made their own bellhop or elevator costumes. My only suggestion is to make sure you don't wear anything you're going to have to fiddle with the whole race and if you go for something like a tutu, wearing something comfortable underneath. Just have fun with it.
 
I paced off a guy dressed as Thor. He didn't do the cape and not too much armour but Thor's mask/helmet thing doesn't really cover the face so it would work for a 'mask' that doesn't violate mask rules. It was pretty cool!
 
I am looking to run as Tink in the Disney Marathon in january. I am looking into a Sparkle Skirt, has anyone ever run as Tink? I am worried about wings, might paint them on lol
 
I am looking to run as Tink in the Disney Marathon in january. I am looking into a Sparkle Skirt, has anyone ever run as Tink? I am worried about wings, might paint them on lol

I have wings that I tested on the treadmill without a problem, I just couldn't figure out how to pack them for the trip without causing damage. I'm thinking about ordering one of the wing shirts from balancing act. They are super cute looking!
http://shop.balancingactclothing.com/
 
Something I learned this weekend-- hot glue! Everything stayed in place perfectly and the whole outfit was really comfortable. The collar, skirt, and bows (one in the front, one in the back) I glued onto a basic white leotard. Stopping for the bathroom was not an option, so in the future I probably won't do a leotard... But it was great, especially when people recognized my superhero! They got really excited about it!
 












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