Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend ** Check-In ** January 15-18, 2015

[kim3339]

Checking in. I will be doing the Rebel Challenge. It will be a huge challenge, as I am going to do Dopey the weekend before!!

I am trying to figure out how I am going to do the Castaway Cay Challenge. However, if I do that, I will have to skip the Star Wars 5k. Hmmmm.

Yay! Good to know I'm not the only crazy one! no Castaway, but doing Dopey. See you at W&D and Avengers!

For those in the know about runDisney, I have a few questions:
*Will there ever be a full marathon at DL?
*Why did they move the Neverland 5k from a night-time race to morning?
*Will they eventually add a "challenge" to the Tinkerbell (like the Dumbo Double Dare and the new Rebel Challenge)?

Thanks for any answers or guesses!

There was a marathon once, I think in '95? I think the problem is that at WDW you run outside the parks and Disney owns the roads so it's easier to close down parts of the road. At DL, the streets are owned by the city so it's harder to close them down later than what they do for the 1/2. I'd love it if they did add, that would be awesome.

Neverland, I don't know. I think when they changed the weekend to MLK, it made it harder b/c the parks are open later. And the race didn't sell out you could even sign up at the expo, but I think more of that is b/c it was attached to a twilight ticket and a lot of DL runners are AP holders.

Challenge ~ haven't heard anything on the fb groups yet, but I would love it, it would make reg a lot easier than signing up for all 3given the rate the races are selling out now. But we have until Aug, so they could easily still add it.

 

[butiflfeet]

This will be my 5th RunDisney event. Among other non-Disney races, I've ran the 2011 Wine and Dine Half, the 2013 Disney World Half, and 2013 Dumbo Double Dare. I have the Tower of Terror 10 Miler coming up in October now and I'm crossing all of my fingers and toes that I can get DH and I registered for the Rebel Challenge

 

[jaitken925]

Signing my husband up for the Rebel Challenge and my son up for a kids run ... will be both of their first runDisney events!

I'm signed up for the Avengers Half in November so I'll be sitting this one out but looking forward to cheering for my family!

 

[Mjmdiva]

I did Tink this year 10k and half. Going to WDW to do Wine and Dine and get my coast to coast.

 

[adykate]

As an AP holder, how many people can I sign up during early registration? Is it limited to myself and my kids?

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

We doing it! Yay! I'm going to stick to the 10k, and DF is considering the Rebel Challenge.

A related question: I was planning to buy an AP to cover my fall and spring trips to DLR already. If I have bought it but not activated it in the park, do I still qualify as an AP holder for the purposes of early registration? Anyone know?

EDIT- Per Disney cast member, you have to have an activated AP.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

In in for the Rebel Challenge!

So excited to be back for a January race! The weather was perfect for Tink this year, I thought.

Kicking myself that I didn't buy an AP--it will be three trips in one calendar year. Sigh.

 

[Belle Ella]

Gonna try and catch up a little bit! First, I should probably post my own answer to my own discussion question

I've been participating in runDisney events for 3 years now - if anyone remembers the Disneyland Half back in 2011, the theme for the 5K was Star Tours (because of the re-opening of the attraction) so I've almost come full circle - and the inaugural Tinker Bell half back in 2012 was my very first half marathon and I've been hooked ever since. My money usually goes strictly to runDisney events but I want to throw a few more in for good measure and to keep me occupied throughout the entire year. I'm going on half #7 this August, and can't wait to add even more under my belt.

Planning at the very least to sign up for the Rebel Challenge, but might even consider doing the 5K as well and then attempting to run every single runDisney event at Disneyland in 2015 (and also shooting for my first Coast to Coast)!

In in for the Rebel Challenge!

So excited to be back for a January race! The weather was perfect for Tink this year, I thought.

Kicking myself that I didn't buy an AP--it will be three trips in one calendar year. Sigh.

I hope you're able to sign up for it! Thinking back on all three of the Tinks so far, the weather has been pretty perfect for them all. A big reason I wasn't thrilled when they moved it to May. We've had some insane temps here in Anaheim this month (and allergy issues) that make me nervous for it. But glad to have an event back in January!

And isn't hindsight always 20/20? I kicked myself for not getting an AP so many times before I finally caved and just went for it. Starting with runDisney was definitely an incentive for me so I could keep coming back for more events.

We doing it! Yay! I'm going to stick to the 10k, and DF is considering the Rebel Challenge.

A related question: I was planning to buy an AP to cover my fall and spring trips to DLR already. If I have bought it but not activated it in the park, do I still qualify as an AP holder for the purposes of early registration? Anyone know?

EDIT- Per Disney cast member, you have to have an activated AP.

Looks like you got an answer before I could get back to you! And the cast member's information was correct Bit glad to have you aboard.

As an AP holder, how many people can I sign up during early registration? Is it limited to myself and my kids?

There is no restriction on signing anyone up as an AP holder. It's just a link to the early registration page, so it's not like it's tied to your AP itself or anything like that. I've been registering with the help of my friend who is an AP holder for the past 2 years.

I did Tink this year 10k and half. Going to WDW to do Wine and Dine and get my coast to coast.

Wind and Dine is my choice for the WDW half of my Coast to Coast. Hope you'll be able to join us for this one as well!

Signing my husband up for the Rebel Challenge and my son up for a kids run ... will be both of their first runDisney events!

I'm signed up for the Avengers Half in November so I'll be sitting this one out but looking forward to cheering for my family!

It's great that they'll have someone cheering them on. Hopefully they find it as much fun as we all do.

This will be my 5th RunDisney event. Among other non-Disney races, I've ran the 2011 Wine and Dine Half, the 2013 Disney World Half, and 2013 Dumbo Double Dare. I have the Tower of Terror 10 Miler coming up in October now and I'm crossing all of my fingers and toes that I can get DH and I registered for the Rebel Challenge

Hello fellow inaugural DDD runner!Kind of jealous that you're doing the ToT 10 miler. A coworker of mine did that last year and it looked and sounded like so much fun. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you to get in for the Rebel Challenge as well.

Always exciting to hear about a new runDisney race - especially in DL!
I have run other races (non-Disney) and am hoping that Tinkerbell 2015 will be my first runDisney experience, though I am a bit nervous about how quickly they sell out. I plan to be poised on the registration page on the morning of Aug 12!

August can't get here soon enough, can it? Look out for a Tink check in closer to the registration date

Checking in. I will be doing the Rebel Challenge. It will be a huge challenge, as I am going to do Dopey the weekend before!!

Races I have done:
DL Half -2013
Honolulu Marathon - 2013
Tinkerbell10K - 2014
Tinkerbell Half - 2014
Cinderella Family 5k - 2014
Glass Slipper Challenge-2014

Races I am registered for:
TOT 10mile
Wine and Dine
Avengers 5K and Half
Dopey

I am trying to figure out how I am going to do the Castaway Cay Challenge. However, if I do that, I will have to skip the Star Wars 5k. Hmmmm.

Dope and then Rebel Challenge. Man, oh man, I bow down to you

I still can't talk myself into running my first full marathon, let alone everything else Dopey entails. Or even Goofy!

As Jessica knows, I have not done any runs of ANY sort.... I am signed up for the Avengers 5K in November and my boys are a bit annoyed with Mommy for not including them, so I am going to try my hardest to get us all registered for this one. I am SO EXCITED! We love Star Wars!

You go! I'm jealous that you got yourself signed up for Avengers (even the 5K). I wanted to but told myself I shouldn't for $ reasons but then that sorted itself out and I was on the outside looking in. Good luck getting the whole family registered. It's a shame they don't have a way to register full families at once. The possibility of only part of your family getting in is just such a downer!

Maybe we'll have a few other Divas at this one. I was talking with Vanessa at work on BVS tonight about the possibility of her signing up for one (the 5K or the 10K). Time will tell.

I'm addicted, it started when I stumbled across a RunDisney post on the DIS about a year ago.

My first race was the Neverland 5k last January, I'm doing the Disneyland 10k in August and the Avengers will be my first half marathon.

I'm definitely doing Star Wars but leaning towards the 10k, it's been in the 100's the last few weeks in Vegas and my half training has been a choice between risking heat stroke or being bored on a treadmill.

Keep your eyes posted for the DIsneyland half weekend in August. I'm going to try and set up a little meet-up for any of us DIS-runners that would like to say a quick hello or anything, if you're interested. Will hope to do the same for this one.

I ran the Enchanted 10k at the Disney Princess Half this year, and acted as Sparkle Minion for DF during the half. (She ran both!) It was my first Disney race, but not hers. In fact, until last weekend, she had ONLY run Disney races!

I'm certainly not a runner, but it was a lot of fun. We talked about doing the Avenger half, but the timing wasn't right. This one, though...we're both strongly tempted. I'm leaning toward going at this point. Again, I probably just run the 10k. Don't know if DF will go for the Rebel Challenge. (Too expensive for my tastes!)

That's exciting that she just ran her first non Disney race. What did she think? I've only done one non-Disney half marathon and I was so worried that I wouldn't enjoy it as much without the atmosphere of my favorite thing, but I worried over nothing. It was such a good time. I would do another in a heartbeat but I just can never find the time.

We did the Happy Haunted Trails 5K last October. This October we are signed up for Tower of Terror 10 Miler as our very first long race but I'm using a half-marathon training plan for it. This will be our first half marathon but if we are going all that way, may as well go for all the races.

Looking at the calendar, I should be able to 'restart' the training program about a week after I get home from that race so I can have a bit of recovery/laziness.

I got started because I need something to motivate me to continue to be healthy. Saying I need to lose weight doesn't really work for me but I need a goal. Having to finish a race lower than a 16 min mile is a workable goal.

Having a date circled where you know you have to run/walk a certain number of miles is definitely motivation to continue to stay healthy. I have a hard time when I'm not training, and I definitely know the difference when I don't have a goal to work towards. It's nice to know I'm not alone!

Yay for first halfs!!

 

[JoanneAZ]

I'm in for the 5K and the Rebel Challenge! I'm so excited that this is in DLR. Can't wait to see the medals, so many great characters and iconic images to choose from. I think the 5K will sell out in record time, thank goodness for early AP registration.

 

[Belle Ella]

I'm in for the 5K and the Rebel Challenge! I'm so excited that this is in DLR. Can't wait to see the medals, so many great characters and iconic images to choose from. I think the 5K will sell out in record time, thank goodness for early AP registration.

It's getting crazier and crazier how fast they sell out. I feel like the Avengers 5K sold out in less than an hour (I was at work during registration - does anyone remember?).

 

[Belle Ella]

Slowly making progress on the OP So glad early registration is only a few days away. I don't think I could wait any longer.

 

[adykate]

Belle Ella - Thanks for the info about signing up others during early reg. It is a bummer there isn't a way to register an entire family all at once. I hope it isn't a problem to get my crew all registered.

So my dilemma (any thoughts/advice from personal experience are appreciated . ...

Signing up for the Disney Half is what got me started into running four months ago. Since then I have done a few races (8K and 10K's) and have really enjoyed them. My mileage is only up to about 6.5miles though, so I am not even close to knowing how it will feel to do a half. My husband and I are still discussing whether we are going to do the Star Wars event, but if we do decide to do it, I can't decide whether to do the 10K or the half. I know I will be able to do the 10K even if I take a break from running after the Disney Half. But I am afraid to sign up for that, and then wish I had done the Star Wars half instead. I just hate to sign up for the half, and then find out I hate doing that distance, lol! Any thoughts? Experiences? I hate having to sign up for far in advance! I have two young kids, and I don't want to be so tired and sore I can't enjoy our time together at Disneyland post race (my fear for the Disney half!). It also seems like the 10K has more running within the parks themselves, which is more tempting than doing the half. So torn...

 

[Belle Ella]

Belle Ella - Thanks for the info about signing up others during early reg. It is a bummer there isn't a way to register an entire family all at once. I hope it isn't a problem to get my crew all registered.

So my dilemma (any thoughts/advice from personal experience are appreciated . ...

Signing up for the Disney Half is what got me started into running four months ago. Since then I have done a few races (8K and 10K's) and have really enjoyed them. My mileage is only up to about 6.5miles though, so I am not even close to knowing how it will feel to do a half. My husband and I are still discussing whether we are going to do the Star Wars event, but if we do decide to do it, I can't decide whether to do the 10K or the half. I know I will be able to do the 10K even if I take a break from running after the Disney Half. But I am afraid to sign up for that, and then wish I had done the Star Wars half instead. I just hate to sign up for the half, and then find out I hate doing that distance, lol! Any thoughts? Experiences? I hate having to sign up for far in advance! I have two young kids, and I don't want to be so tired and sore I can't enjoy our time together at Disneyland post race (my fear for the Disney half!). It also seems like the 10K has more running within the parks themselves, which is more tempting than doing the half. So torn...

If you're doing the AP early registration and can get to it right when it opens, you should be fine getting your family registered. I know the AP registration does fill up but I don't think it's nearly as fast as the general registration - unless someone else knows otherwise. In the past I haven't had a problem registering myself and my friend one by one, but past experiences can only tell us so much

My advice would be to go ahead and sign up for the half (unless a different half next year sounds like something more suited to your tastes). The way I see it is that you'll never know how you'll like it until take the leap and try it. If you don't, no harm no foul and you know not to sign up for one in the future. But it's hard being on the other side and wishing you had signed up! I will say, for Tink last year both the 10K and the half spent about the same distance in the parks. The first 10K for the Disneyland Half last year spent much more in the parks that this years Tink, so the course is hard to guess at unfortunately. But if you think you may only do one half and never again, find one that you'd love to do more than the rest and let that one be your test, if that makes any sense.

Mind you, this is also coming from someone who doesn't have kids and so doesn't have to factor that into my post-race day(s).

 

[ryleeranger]

I'm going to do the 10k and my husband will do the half. This will be our first race! Hoping to do the early ap registration!

 

[JoanneAZ]

As I recall the Avengers 5K sold out in less than 50 minutes. I think the only thing that might keep the SW 5K from selling out faster is that it's on Friday and the Avengers is on Saturday. Since more people have Saturdays off and kids are out of school on weekends that gave Avengers a boost towards selling out quickly. Star Wars ginormous fan base may offset that, though.

 

[kim3339]

Gonna try and catch up a little bit! First, I should probably post my own answer to my own discussion question

I still can't talk myself into running my first full marathon, let alone everything else Dopey entails. Or even Goofy!

I totally missed your question! I'm sorry! I've been running for almost 8 years. Rundisney events... I done the past 7 DL weekends, all 3 Tinks, 2 princess weekends, and 1 wdw weekend(the 1/2) and then the scheduled ones for this year. I'm way too scared to type out all the races, b/c then I will see in black & white how much money they've gotten from me! W&D will actually be my 25th 1/2! I'll have to celebrate a little. And I've done 2 fulls.

As for you Miss Jessica!!! I totally think you can run a full marathon! You've done the challenges and back to back races, I really think you could do it. And if you transition from the end of training for DDD or the Rebel, you'll have that much base and can build from there. I think there are even slightly longer plans like 20 weeks vs 16 that start out smaller around 6 or 7 and have you doing 13 at week 6 or so and you could run the 1/2 then and progress from there. No pressure, just some friendly encouragement.

 

[Belle Ella]

I totally missed your question! I'm sorry! I've been running for almost 8 years. Rundisney events... I done the past 7 DL weekends, all 3 Tinks, 2 princess weekends, and 1 wdw weekend(the 1/2) and then the scheduled ones for this year. I'm way too scared to type out all the races, b/c then I will see in black & white how much money they've gotten from me! W&D will actually be my 25th 1/2! I'll have to celebrate a little. And I've done 2 fulls.

As for you Miss Jessica!!! I totally think you can run a full marathon! You've done the challenges and back to back races, I really think you could do it. And if you transition from the end of training for DDD or the Rebel, you'll have that much base and can build from there. I think there are even slightly longer plans like 20 weeks vs 16 that start out smaller around 6 or 7 and have you doing 13 at week 6 or so and you could run the 1/2 then and progress from there. No pressure, just some friendly encouragement.

I definitely don't think I want to admit to how much I've given (and will continue to give) in $$ so I can run. But hey, we all have our thing! Instead of purses, I run races! But wow! Coming up on 25 half marathons and 2 fulls! Go you!

And thank you! I need the friendly encouragement. The goal right now that I'm shooting for is the WDW full (just the full - no Goofy or Dopey for me just yet) in 2017 to celebrate turning 30. Mind you my birthday is the September before, but I figure I want to go all out for that whole year. If I can make it work I'll do it as soon as 2016 but I don't know if I ca swing 2 WDW vacations that close to each other (Wine and Dine in 2015). But I can say that I do have every intention of finally conquering that hurdle.

As I recall the Avengers 5K sold out in less than 50 minutes. I think the only thing that might keep the SW 5K from selling out faster is that it's on Friday and the Avengers is on Saturday. Since more people have Saturdays off and kids are out of school on weekends that gave Avengers a boost towards selling out quickly. Star Wars ginormous fan base may offset that, though.

I'll be watching the clock for this one to see how it plays out! I think another thing for Star Wars to take into consideration is that this will have a challenge and Avengers didn't. That's a big draw for some people.

I'm going to do the 10k and my husband will do the half. This will be our first race! Hoping to do the early ap registration!

for firsts!

 

[JoanneAZ]

Interesting language regarding the 5K from the RunDisney site.

It says that the 5K is not a timed event however it does still have the 16 min per mile pacing requirement. Any runner who finishes after the pacing requirement time ends will NOT receive a medallion.

Also, it says the the 5K course will run through Califormia Adventure and lists sites you will see along the course. it then says you will run PAST Disneyland Park. I know RunDisney is usually vague on the courses until shortly before the events but I thought that was a bit odd.

 

[Belle Ella]

Interesting language regarding the 5K from the RunDisney site.

It says that the 5K is not a timed event however it does still have the 16 min per mile pacing requirement. Any runner who finishes after the pacing requirement time ends will NOT receive a medallion.

Also, it says the the 5K course will run through Califormia Adventure and lists sites you will see along the course. it then says you will run PAST Disneyland Park. I know RunDisney is usually vague on the courses until shortly before the events but I thought that was a bit odd.

The course description doesn't seem any different than normal, and it says it runs past Star Tours, not just Disneyland Here's the quote directly from the website:

Make it a Jedi event and bring out the whole gang Friday morning for the Star Wars 5K. May the force be with you as you make your way through the thrilling Disney California Adventure® Park, followed by a run along magical Main Street U.S.A. and past Star Tours in Disneyland® Park. It's an intergalactic adventure for adults, teens, and tweens.

It's probably going to be a pretty standard course through the Parks. But that's all we'll have to go by for quite some time still. I'll try and pull up past 5K courses for anyone who wants to take a look.

 

[Belle Ella]

Here's a pre-Cars Land 5K course map, and then 2 post-Cars Land course map from Tink and Disneyland ...

Before Cars Land:

After Cars Land: